Students and administration from the University of La Verne attended the Etiquette Dinner held on November 3rd, 2016 to learn proper dinner etiquette and network with employer sponsors.
Along with students’ elevator pitches, students had the chance to brush up on their business dining etiquette skills while making new connections with employers during a informative and fun evening.
The hosts of the annual event, being the Office of Career Services and Professional Development, had supplied students’ to a four-course meal dining experience with the commentary by Dr. Ben Dewald of how an individual should behave in a business dinner setting.
With the surplus of forks, spoons and knives, individuals were taught the first rule of dining etiquette, specifically the proper usage of utensils. Students and administration were taught to use the utensils from the outside to inside. In other words, a good general rule to keep in mind when using utensils is to work your way in as the meal goes on. Each course should have its own utensils and all of them should already be in front of the individual as the dishes are served. After each dish, the utensils will be taken away with the dish.
A powerpoint slide was provided to students and administration to guide them through their four-course meal. Luckily, an individual can use the powerpoint as a reference.
In this particular slide, individuals were taught the bread has it’s own individual plate. To my shock, I learned the trick of the mnemonic BMW, which stands for bread, meal and water. Meaning, your bread and butter plate is on the left, the meal is in the middle, and your water glass is on the right.
Collage by Jose Calderon
It is important to keep in mind your business dinner etiquette is a representation of yourself. No, exceptional business dinner etiquette may not land an individual’s job, however, is the reflection of how an individual may carry oneself and could possibly open an unlimited array of opportunities (just by the way you eat)!
But, poor dinner manners can close the opportunities before one even places their order so keep in mind the business practices during dinner.
According to travel.tripcase online, some of the best business schools in the nation are offering classes on business dinner etiquette. However, the dilemma for many American businesses is the first-come-first-serve family mentality. Although there is community engagement, schools in business should pay attention to proper place settings, etiquette and table manners.
Having knowledge upon one’s table manners is said to be a reflection of an individual’s character and ability as we must get business dinner etiquette right the first time and every time thereafter. I strongly encourage more students to attend and RVSP to the event.
The event is annual and attendance is free with a $10 deposit.
http://sites.laverne.edu/careers/
Here is the link to the Career Center at The University of La Verne. I strongly recommend to check for updates on events and services the University offers.
Below I’ve attached the food provided at the event, which I may say, was a bonus to learning dinner etiquette.
Photo Courtesy by Flora Wong