Party Etiquette for a Dinner at the Boss's Home

Keep basic etiquette in mind for a dinner with the boss.

Whether it's with a large group of colleagues or one-on-one, having dinner at your boss's home can be challenging. However, if you keep basic etiquette practices in mind, it will be a success. The goal of having dinner with your boss is to make a positive, lasting impression. Keeping conversations light and positive and maintaining proper dining etiquette, while remembering that you are in your boss's home, are all essential to making it a memorable experience.

Manners

Attending a dinner party at your boss's home requires the same etiquette and good manners that any other social gathering does. In general, remember to RSVP in a timely manner (if it's required), say 'please' and 'thank you' when necessary and demonstrate polite conversational skills (remembering that this is your boss, and not a neighbor who's throwing a backyard barbecue).

Making Conversation

Above all, remember that even outside of the workplace, your boss, no matter how friendly or casual the dinner party, is still your boss. Do not make comments or pass on information that you aren't comfortable with your boss knowing when you return to the office on Monday.

While attending a dinner party at your boss's home, remember that while it is important to be part of the conversation and share bits of your life, funny anecdotes, etc., you should keep some parts of your private life private, just as you would at any other public or professional gathering. This remains true even if it's a small gathering. You should focus on keeping the conversation light and positive.

Host Gift

Remember to bring a hostess or host gift. Bringing a gift is an excellent way to start out the evening, while letting your boss know you appreciate the dinner invitation. A middle-of-the-road bottle of red wine or champagne is a great gift for those who enjoy alcohol. If your boss is a teetotaler, bring along a box of specialty candies instead. Bringing a hostess or host gift is both memorable and polite.

Eating and Drinking

At any social event, remember to maintain good manners while eating and drinking. At the dinner table, stick to the basics such as chew with your mouth closed, keep elbows off of the table and use your napkin. While dining in your boss's home, you should refrain from eating too little (which would suggest the food is unappetizing) or eating too much.

Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum at dinner. "Nothing is less mannerly than losing control after drinking too much--and nothing can ruin an evening more quickly for everyone else," according to Sue Fox, author of "Etiquette for Dummies."

Thank You

Before leaving your boss's home, be sure to thank him or her for the invitation and wonderful meal (even if it wasn't so wonderful). Don't forget to give a proper goodbye to your boss's family members and anyone your boss has taken the time to introduce to you at his dinner.

References

• The New Etiquette: Real Manners for Real People in Real Situations: An A-to-Z ; Marjabelle Young Stewart; 1997
• Letitia Baldrige's New Manners for New Times: A Complete Guide to Etiquette; Letitia Baldrige;2003
• Etiquette for Dummies; Sue Fox; 2007