Comments on: Business Lunch: Keep it Under the Fork http://www.socialprimer.com/2009/10/business-lunch-keep-it-under-the-fork/ Manners, Conversation, Style & Handling Your Liquor Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:29:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Andrea http://www.socialprimer.com/2009/10/business-lunch-keep-it-under-the-fork/#comment-912 Andrea Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:56:15 +0000 http://www.socialprimer.com/?p=1436#comment-912 I began previewing the menu online a few years ago when I had a lunch date with a man I very much wanted to impress. In a stressful situation such as a business lunch or date, it's always nice to have something taken care of. As for hamburgers, the attorneys I've worked with in ultra laid-back Austin always attacked them with a fork and knife, citing their suits as the main concern. I began previewing the menu online a few years ago when I had a lunch date with a man I very much wanted to impress. In a stressful situation such as a business lunch or date, it’s always nice to have something taken care of. As for hamburgers, the attorneys I’ve worked with in ultra laid-back Austin always attacked them with a fork and knife, citing their suits as the main concern.

]]> By: Vladimir Cupal http://www.socialprimer.com/2009/10/business-lunch-keep-it-under-the-fork/#comment-904 Vladimir Cupal Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:48:25 +0000 http://www.socialprimer.com/?p=1436#comment-904 Well, I'm really glad I read this, because I'm quite sure I wouldn't think of it in such situation..now I have at least a chance I'll remember. Anyway, do you have any tips on eating messy dishes such as hamburger (especially large ones) and keeping at least a bit of appearance? Dear Vladimir, In a business situation -- or any situation where you are trying to impress -- stay clear of messy foods. There is a reason you never see these foods served at weddings or charity events. Stick to the fork and the knife and leave the messy burgers for your casual gatherings with friends and family. Cordially. SP Well, I’m really glad I read this, because I’m quite sure I wouldn’t think of it in such situation..now I have at least a chance I’ll remember. Anyway, do you have any tips on eating messy dishes such as hamburger (especially large ones) and keeping at least a bit of appearance?

Dear Vladimir,
In a business situation — or any situation where you are trying to impress — stay clear of messy foods. There is a reason you never see these foods served at weddings or charity events. Stick to the fork and the knife and leave the messy burgers for your casual gatherings with friends and family.
Cordially.
SP

]]> By: David http://www.socialprimer.com/2009/10/business-lunch-keep-it-under-the-fork/#comment-782 David Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:41:31 +0000 http://www.socialprimer.com/?p=1436#comment-782 I agree with the advice, except about ordering salads. Under the best of circumstances they can be a bit awkward to eat gracefully, and much depends on the mercy of the sous chef in how the salad is prepared. Many years ago at an interview lunch at very fancy restaurant I saw a job candidate at a nearby table attempt to eat a Caesar salad. Unlike every other salad, this one consisted of a large head of Romaine lettuce that had not been cut up, merely drizzled with dressing. The interview candidate gamely tried to eat the salad without cutting into the head of lettuce, but to no avail. She then gave up and attempted to cut the head of lettuce into pieces. At that point the knife slipped, and the head of lettuce rolled off of the plate, off of the table, and across the floor. The waiter quietly brought her another salad. All parties at the table carried on as if nothing had happened. I found out later through a mutual friend that she got the job. I agree with the advice, except about ordering salads. Under the best of circumstances they can be a bit awkward to eat gracefully, and much depends on the mercy of the sous chef in how the salad is prepared.

Many years ago at an interview lunch at very fancy restaurant I saw a job candidate at a nearby table attempt to eat a Caesar salad. Unlike every other salad, this one consisted of a large head of Romaine lettuce that had not been cut up, merely drizzled with dressing.

The interview candidate gamely tried to eat the salad without cutting into the head of lettuce, but to no avail. She then gave up and attempted to cut the head of lettuce into pieces. At that point the knife slipped, and the head of lettuce rolled off of the plate, off of the table, and across the floor. The waiter quietly brought her another salad.

All parties at the table carried on as if nothing had happened. I found out later through a mutual friend that she got the job.

]]> By: Cat http://www.socialprimer.com/2009/10/business-lunch-keep-it-under-the-fork/#comment-771 Cat Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:36:19 +0000 http://www.socialprimer.com/?p=1436#comment-771 What a valuable topic! It doesn't just apply to an interview, either. I love spaghetti but I wouldn't be caught dead eating it in public; for the simple reason and despite much time spent in Italy, I've never been able to avoid that final "slurp". I can't handle it elegantly. Best not to order foods over which one hasn't got complete mastery. On a related note: If one is hosting a cocktail party, it's best not to have passed around treats which can't be eaten in one bite. Chicken wings, though delicious, are much too messy and hard to handle. Chicken wings???!!!!??? You say? I have seen them served at some of the fanciest cocktail parties. What a valuable topic! It doesn’t just apply to an interview, either. I
love spaghetti but I wouldn’t be caught dead eating it in public; for the
simple reason and despite much time spent in Italy, I’ve never been able
to avoid that final “slurp”. I can’t handle it elegantly. Best not to order
foods over which one hasn’t got complete mastery.

On a related note: If one is hosting a cocktail party, it’s best not to
have passed around treats which can’t be eaten in one bite. Chicken wings, though delicious, are much too messy and hard to handle. Chicken wings???!!!!??? You say? I have seen them served at some
of the fanciest cocktail parties.

]]> By: Kim Scholes http://www.socialprimer.com/2009/10/business-lunch-keep-it-under-the-fork/#comment-754 Kim Scholes Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:33:42 +0000 http://www.socialprimer.com/?p=1436#comment-754 Thank you very much for providing a concise summary of proper practices for people during lunch interviews. As an HR practitioner, I always recommend that hiring managers interview candidates at a meal, preferably lunch. In that way, they can observe the true character of a person, from his/her manners to how they treat the wait staff! Thank you very much for providing a concise summary of proper practices for people during lunch interviews. As an HR practitioner, I always recommend that hiring managers interview candidates at a meal, preferably lunch. In that way, they can observe the true character of a person, from his/her manners to how they treat the wait staff!

]]> By: Ralph M Bohm http://www.socialprimer.com/2009/10/business-lunch-keep-it-under-the-fork/#comment-753 Ralph M Bohm Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:41:14 +0000 http://www.socialprimer.com/?p=1436#comment-753 Hello all, Great advice and I am surprised it didn't occur to me sooner! No wonder I am fat and unemployed, heh heh, Just kidding. By the way, a little off-topic but John D Rockefeller once said that he always leaves the table a little hungry. so, I will make sure to remember this particular installment at my next lunch interview. Hello all,

Great advice and I am surprised it didn’t occur to me sooner!
No wonder I am fat and unemployed, heh heh,
Just kidding.
By the way, a little off-topic but John D Rockefeller once said that he always leaves the table a little hungry.

so, I will make sure to remember this particular installment at my next lunch interview.

]]> By: Lorraine http://www.socialprimer.com/2009/10/business-lunch-keep-it-under-the-fork/#comment-748 Lorraine Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:22:41 +0000 http://www.socialprimer.com/?p=1436#comment-748 The very best thing to order for lunch are scallops. They are bite sized or sliced easily with the side of your fork. No excessive chewing is required if you have to quickly field an answer to a question. As long as they are not enmeshed in pasta or the most expensive thing on the menu, scallops are great. Same for filetted fish. Salads always seemed a dangerous risk of splashed dressing leaving a sad oil stain as your last impression. The very best thing to order for lunch are scallops. They are bite sized or sliced easily with the side of your fork. No excessive chewing is required if you have to quickly field an answer to a question. As long as they are not enmeshed in pasta or the most expensive thing on the menu, scallops are great. Same for filetted fish. Salads always seemed a dangerous risk of splashed dressing leaving a sad oil stain as your last impression.

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