Business Entertaining Etiquette

Social Steps to Success

Do your homework on the guests attending the cocktail party. This will make 'small talk' much easier. eg. If he they are avid soccer fans, know the latest soccer news.
This is still business. Do not begin calling the manager or the client by his or first name if you have always previously addressed them by their surnames.
Always introduce yourself to unfamiliar guests. Maintain eye contact during introductions and conversations.
Don't hide in the corner or at the bar. if you don't know anyone, ask the organiser/PR to introduce you to someone in a similar industry/ field as yours.
Make it your aim to meet a different person every 10 minutes.
Keep drinks and food in your left hand. This will leave your right hand free for meeting and greeting.
Remember it's about the contacts not the contracts. Ask people for their business card and follow up with prospects after the event. The idea is to meet people, not to sell to them there and then.
Ensure your business cards are kept close at hand, in a business card holder, and be selective when handing them out.

Mind over Platter

Do not head straight to the bar or buffet table, mingle first. Food and drink should not be the main goals. (If you are starving, eat a small meal beforehand.)
If place cards are on the tables, do not shift them around to suit yourself.
See whether the buffet has one or two lines. If two lines are moving, you will find serving utensils on both sides of the table.
Never push in the line, gender and status privileges do not apply in the buffet line. Take your place and wait patiently.
Don't sample the food while you are waiting in the line.
Dish each course separately. Don't mix the starter and main course on one plate.
If you notice that one item is in short supply, then go easy on it, or offer the person behind you the last portion.
Use the serving utensil provided for a particular dish and replace it, in the same place, when you are finished.
Don't overload your plate.
Plenty of clean plates should be available, which means you should not have to reuse a plate. If you are going back for seconds, don't hesitate to ask a server to replace a plate or silverware or retrieve what you need at the buffet table.
If you are invited to join another table while at the buffet line, either accept graciously or find a way to decline just as politely. e.g “I'm sorry, but I promised Mr Radebe that I'd eat with him, however, I will join you for coffee later.”

Top Table Tip

To avoid helping yourself to someone else's cutlery, bread roll or wine, remember the following:

Hold your hands in front of you and make a circle with each thumb and index finger.
Hold the other fingers straight up.
Your right hand will form a “d” and your left will form a “b”.
See? Drinks on the right; bread on the left.
Crudités or raw vegetables are picked up with your fingers, then dipped (only once) into the accompanying sauce. Never dip into the sauce once you have already taken a bite, unless you have placed some sauce on your plate.
When eating olives, discard pits in your napkin or on the side of your plate.
Small sandwiches can be picked up and eaten with your fingers.
Do not blow on hot coffee or soup. Rather just give hot food or beverages time to cool down.
Even though people at your table will be sitting down to eat at different times, try to keep pace with others.
If you're eating while standing up, avoid overloading your plate. This will make eating the meal easier and you will be able to circulate better.
Do not use your knife or fork to point out something or to make a gesture.
When using a toothpick, excuse yourself and attend to the offending piece of debris in the bathroom.
Do not touch up your make–up or brush your hair at the table.
Drink in moderation – keep to a limit of 2 drinks.
Do not chew on the ice cubes.
Never drink beer from the bottle or can, rather pour it into a glass first.
Before leaving always thank your host for the meal and the occasion. Within couple of days, after attending a cocktail reception or any other function, a thank–you note should be sent to the host.

Make Your First Impression the Lasting One

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