Business Luncheon Etiquette

Locking a deal can depend upon good manners at the lunch table.

Good manners can make or break a business deal when the exchange is conducted over lunch. Some of the obvious business luncheon goofs include arriving late, answering a cell phone during the meal or wearing attire that is too casual. But choosing the wrong location or launching into shop talk too quickly can be equally fatal to sealing a deal.

Location

A fast-paced deli may be a good place to grab a sandwich, but the commotion might be too distracting for clients. Likewise, a quiet venue can leave guests feeling that they have no privacy from the diners seated at other tables. The person extending the invitation should ask her guest for any preferences. This allows the guest to indicate any food restrictions, such as allergies or adherence to a vegan diet. If the guest does not offer any recommendations, the person coordinating the lunch should ask colleagues for ideas.

Guest Lists

According to business luncheon etiquette, the host should always confirm plans via email. This message should indicate the number of reservations that have been made so that the guest does not invite others to the restaurant without notifying the host. Etiquette columnists have reported horror stories in which clients showed up with spouses, children or the company attorney without any warning.

Greetings

Businesswomen should always stand to shake hands with their guests, but women who are attending luncheons as spouses may remain seated when introduced. The handshake should be firm, and the businessman or woman should be prepared to make some introductory remarks. By saying each person's name aloud and incorporating that new name into an opening comment, the business person will have an easier time remembering identities. If someone withholds a handshake, the others at the table should never joke about the subject, because many people today refrain from shaking hands.

Conversation

In the United States, the appropriate time to begin discussing business is when the waiter distributes menus. However, European customs dictate that business cannot get underway until after the wine is served and the toasts are made. In the meantime, small talk is critical to building business relationships at the lunch table. This friendly chatter helps ease the group into the business topic.

Tabs

The person who requests the business luncheon is responsible for paying the tab. If the meeting is called jointly, both parties should agree in advance on splitting the check. Businesspeople should never wait until after a meal has been consumed to decide who is going to cover the bill. Invited guests should always send a handwritten thank-you note after the meeting. This is a common way to further solidify both a business opportunity and a friendship.

References

• Microsoft Small Business Center: 5 Business Lunch Faux Pas
• The Sideroad: Business Lunch Etiquette