Louise and Barry Berlin share a laugh with me at a big restaurant opening recently.
I had a few friends over for dinner last night, including my friends Barry and Louise Berlin. Louise asked if it is okay to use your bread as a “pusher” – as in using it to push the salad onto your fork.
She was surprised when I ran to my bookshelf to retrieve my copy of “Etiquette for Dummies.” I explained that I went to a source because while I was quite certain I knew the answer, I really wanted to be sure … and when it comes to this particular question, I remembered that there are actually several different answers! That’s the thing about etiquette – different behaviors apply to different situations. MOST of these variations are simply based on the differences between formal and casual settings; bread as a pusher is no exception!
I was able to share with Louise and another friend, Edy, that in a CASUAL setting, it’s okay to use your bread as a PUSHER! BUT – in a more formal setting, it is not. No wonder I couldn’t remember!
Pick up a copy and be sure you're on the right track!
It’s funny to me that many people are often too intimidated to dine with me. I try to put them at ease by explaining that I was only able to write my book, “The Art of the Business Lunch” because I had already made every mistake there is to make; why not learn from my experiences? Why must we make every mistake ourselves? But I do know a lot when it comes to etiquette … I even speak on it!
So, where does the FUN come in? We started reading all about bread at the dinner table – how to pass it (to the right), how to take a slice (using the napkin to hold the loaf while you tear off a slice), and how you must put butter on your dish and then butter your bread; never take butter directly from the community plate and put it on your bread.
I think it’s fascinating to read about etiquette and discover all the little nuances that add grace to a client lunch or business dinner. If you’ve ever wondered about exactly what to do, pick up a copy of an etiquette book. You’ll really find it enjoyable and some of the tips are sure to surprise you!
Fasten your seat belts and hang on! I’m off to another FABULOUS business lunch and I want YOU to come along for the ride! Here are some super tips and techniques for building PRODUCTIVE relationships over a meal (or coffee; breakfast is the new lunch!) There is no better way to create quality FACE TIME than by sharing a meal with clients and associates! Share a Meal & Close the Deal! You’re about to discover how I earned my nickname as “The Queen of the Business Lunch”!
Special thanks to Solveig Thorsrud-Allen and The FIRM Public Relations for inviting me to share my expertise. The tips I reveal in this video will help you to make the most of mealtimes! Enjoy this outstanding video from The FIRM Public Relations.
If you’ve ever heard me speak, then you know that my favorite airline is Southwest (SWA). WHY? Because they offer the BEST Customer Service EVER! I speak on building relationships, making people feel special, and the entire customer service experience…and SWA gets it RIGHT!
Sure, a business lunch is great for accomplishing those goals, but we’re not always able to have lunch with clients. Sometimes, it’s the every day experiences that help to define your level of Customer Service.
I recently flew FIRST CLASS on another airline – only because I wanted a red-eye to Ohio. The much-aligned “Cattle Call” of Southwest (which I think is one of the most excellent, well-organized plans for boarding…in fact, many other airlines now copy SWA’s “line-up by number” plan), and subsequent in-flight service I’ve experienced with SWA has been consistently better than the so-called “First Class” service of this other airline!
But I particularly enjoy sharing a memorable experience I had on an SWA flight from LA to Las Vegas – after a VERY long day. I got up around 4AM to speak on The Art of the Business Lunch & Networking at a luncheon in Southern California. I flew in for the day….and by the time my presentation was over and I was at LAX, I just wanted to get home. Watch my video to see why I LOVE SWA!
But I do know a lot when it comes to etiquette … I even speak on it!