Business Dinner
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A business dinner is a meeting where business is conducted while having a meal. Business dinners are a corporate tradition in many countries, usually used to have a job interview, conclude fiscal years, celebrate performance achievement, and so on. They combine work and entertainment, and also give a chance for conversation between colleagues, superiors, and subordinates.[1]
Business meal planning, dining etiquette, and the communication atmosphere can determine the results of a meeting. Dining etiquette is a vital element in a business dinner. It can make a difference in a business deal.[2] Except for the business contract itself, there are some unconscious influences on success, and those unconscious influences are usually based on dining etiquette during the business dinner. If you put effort into an enjoyable business dinner experience and attach importance to details, the clients would have reason to trust that you can handle their business in the same way.[3]
Roles of business dinner
Business dinners have been considered as a part of business processes. Approximately 50% of business transactions are conducted over a business meal.[4]
Business dinners are usually considered on a management practice level. The main goal of a business meal is to build relationships, rather than to do business. From the perspective of social psychology literature, a business meal can influence the cognition of other people by conducting communication, behaviour, and impression management. It provides a relaxed atmosphere for businessmen and businesswomen and gives them a chance to know more about each other, and also build trust in this way. This would be a benefit to effective negotiations and successful transactions.[5]
For interviewees, as many job interviews may be assessed in a business dinner, business dinners would be an important occasion to give a good impression to interviewers and raise the possibility of employment.[6] On the contrary, a potential employer perhaps decide not to hire someone due to his or her unsatisfying demeanour.[2]
In brief, a pleasurable and profitable experience during a business meal would grab an opportunity of professional success.[3]
Communication skill in business dinner
The core of a business dinner is to build relationships with a pleasant conversation during a meal. In other words, a business dinner is an in-depth communication tool with cooperative partners, clients, or colleagues. Good communication may enhance trust in each other and benefits the business. Thus, the development of communication skill is important.[5][6]
Casual small talk would be a good start, for example, a weather topic or compliment on a dress. Finding some mutual interests is also a method. Talkers should make sure the conversation is polite and express their opinions in a mild way. Then they can bring up the business. In chitchat situations, speakers should make their answer brief and remember to communicate and exchange ideas with other people besides those at the table. Body language, such as eye contact, is necessary. It would show your interests and respect for others. Besides, communication at the table can be responsive and flexible. In a different situation and with different people, chat differently.[7]
Private questions and sensitive political topics should not be brought up at dinner, as these may be considered offensive.[8]
Interpersonal skills are widely used during a business conversation over a meal. Appropriate eye contact and a smile while talking would show your interest and passion, and then receive positive feedback. Moreover, a good listener may make the speaker feel valued, and the speaker would prefer to say more.[9]
In terms of international and intercultural business communication, sociocultural business skills would be assessed and performed beside a business meal table.[10] In order to acquire this skill, businesspersons are requested to familiarise themselves with local conditions.
Cultural difference in business dinner etiquette
In business dinners, good table manners would make a good impression on your clients or superior. Due to cultural variables, the etiquettes of business dinners may be distinct from each other in different regions. Successful businesspersons need to observe those specific norms of society in different cultures and perform individual behaviours.[10]
Europe
In the European style of dining, the fork is usually in the left hand with the tines down, and the knife is always in the right hand. If you have to put your fork and knife down and want to continue to eat later, you should put the fork over the knife and in an ‘X' position on the plate. When you have finished eating, the utensils should be placed in a 10 o'clock – 4 o'clock position, with the fork tines facing up.[8] Europeans usually have more courses than other countries; additional utensils for the added courses, such as a fish fork and knife, are provided.[11]
For mealtime customs of Europe, dinner is held around 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
In many European countries, including Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands, it is polite to finish all the food on the plate. However, in England, you are expected to leave some food on your plate to show that you are satisfied.[11]
In terms of beverages, in some European countries, especially Germany, drinking behaviour may be correlated to openness. However, inebriation is impolite at a business dinner.[11] Wine is usually supplied at a business dinner. Other preferences, like tea or coffee, or some special need for food should be requested in advance.[8] For smokers, it is necessary to make sure whether smoking is allowed.[8]
The host of the business dinner usually initiates the business discussion. Moreover, spouses are usually not invited to a business dinner.[11]
America
In America, the zigzag style is universal. People hold a knife in the right hand and a fork in the left hand when cutting food, and then put the knife down and switch the fork to the left hand for sending food to the mouth. Americans usually have a salad before the meat. Thus, the smaller knife and fork are put on the outside, which differs from some European countries.[11] In the rest position of America, the knife should be across the top of the plate with the cutting edge toward the diner, and the fork is across the centre of the plate in the 9 o'clock – 3 o'clock position. In the finished position, the knife and fork should be in the 9 o'clock – 3 o'clock or 10 o'clock – 4 o'clock position.[8]
Dinner is often between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.[11]
In the United States, leaving something on a plate when you finish eating is customary. While in South America, the custom is diverse based on countries.[11]
In a business dinner, food customs with different religions should be considered. For example, Muslim Americans would not consume pork.[11]
China
In China, business dinners are important to successful business relations.[12] Most Chinese businesspeople attach importance to business dinners.
Chopsticks and spoons are the primary utensils in Chinese business dinners. Inserting chopsticks vertically into rice should be avoided. They should lay on a chopstick rest when you put them down. It is impolite to use chopsticks to point at someone.[11]
The business dinner time is usually scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Seating etiquette is important in Chinese dining culture.[11] The guest of honour sits at the end of the table, facing the door. Other important guests usually sit beside the guest of honour.[12]
Food contributes a lot in Chinese culture. Various dishes would be provided for guests. Cold dishes would be served first, and then hot dishes. Spicy food, sweet food, and acidic food should be balanced to satisfy everyone's taste.[12] According to some particular dishes, the fish head should point to the guest of honour all the time. It shows respect to him or her.[13] You should never turn a fish over to get to the flesh on the underside; Chinese businessman thinks that it is ominous, which may lead to unsuccessful business transactions.[14] In addition, the guest should start their meal with the host's permission; this shows politeness.[11]
.jpg) | |
| Type | baijiu |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | China |
| Region of origin | Guizhou |
| Introduced | Qing dynasty |
| Alcohol by volume | 43–53% |
| Colour | white |
| Flavour | solvent and barnyard aromas |
| Ingredients | sorghum |
| Website | http://moutai.com.au |
Search Business Dinner on Amazon.
In China, drinking is a way to build a business relationship. Alcoholic beverages in China are spirits, and 'Maotai' is one of the most common ones at a business dinner.[11] Drinking a lot (even to the point of drunkenness) could show your enthusiasm and sincerity. People may earn their respect and trust in this way.[14] People usually make a traditional Chinese toast before they start eating, and frequent toasts may happen during a meal. It is called ‘Ganbei', which is like ‘Cheers' in English.[12]
Japan
Japanese usually use chopsticks for a meal. Instead of napkins, hot towels for cleaning hands would be provided. You may be asked to remove shoes in a restaurant in Japan.[11] In a traditional Japanese restaurant, people usually sit around a low table with a kneeling sitting posture.[15] Homes for Japanese people are usually very private; unlike Americans, the Japanese prefer to entertain businesspeople for dinner at a restaurant rather than at home.[16]
In Japanese culture, people will say ‘Itadakimasu’ when they start to eat and say ‘Gochisosama Deshta’ when they have finished. The praise word for food is ‘Oish’, which means delicious.[15] It is all right to make some noise while having soup in Japan. It indicates that you enjoy the soup.[11]
Sake is a kind of popular alcoholic beverage, which is made from rice and served warm. The host usually makes a toast before starting to eat, with the congratulatory word ‘Kampai!'.[11] A rule for sake drinking is that people cannot pour sake for themselves. Offering to pour sake for a high-status person is a way to show their respect.[16]
A Karaoke bar is a popular place for Japanese business entertaining. It is an important part of establishing a rapport with your Japanese business colleagues.[11]
Other general tips on business meals[3]
Plan ahead
The dinner invitation is usually delivered around one week in advance. Both sides should confirm the appointment and the date in advance. The host needs to handle everything related to the meeting, from the invitation to payment of the bill.
Inform the Staff
You represent your company to conduct a business meal. You may inform the staff when the appointment is confirmed, and some information about the clients would be provided by your staff.
Select a restaurant you know
You would do better to select a restaurant you have been to before. You may perform better and avoid awkwardness in a familiar environment.
Arrive early
Arriving earlier than your client will show the degree of attention you paid and your respect.
Handle the rhythm of eating
You are the person to decide when to start a business conversation. Timing is very important. A conversation that is too early would be a bit abrupt, while the client may feel uncertain for a delayed conversation.
Observe networking
Networking is one of the most common ways to get into contact with more new prospective business partners or clients. Building these professional and social relationships would be mutually beneficial and supportive of both sides.[9] The observation of networking over a business meal is valuable to know the relationship between each person. When you realize who may maintain business or social contacts with others, you may let the person introduce his business partner to you.[17]
Avoid using a mobile phone
A mobile phone is used for remote contact. When you are having a business dinner with clients, it is a face-to-face meeting, and mobile phone use would interrupt your conversation. It is impolite to look at your phone while eating with other people.[18]
References
- ↑ "Business Dinners". Retrieved 2019-05-21.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 HAYNES, NETTA CONYERS (2001). "Business Meal Planning, Etiquette Can Determine Results of a Meeting". Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. 19 (12): n. pag. ISSN 1532-7469.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ramsey, Lydia (2004). "Sealing the Deal Over the Business Meal". Consulting to Management. 15 (4): 22–23. ISSN 1530-0153.
- ↑ Hamilton-Wright, Kimberly (2004). "BUSINESS DINING ETIQUETTE". Black Enterprise. 35(1), 124. ISSN 0006-4165.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cabral‐Cardoso, Carlos; Pina E. Cunha, Miguel (2003). "The business lunch: toward a research agenda". Leadership & Organization Development Journal. 24 (7): 371–379. doi:10.1108/01437730310498613. ISSN 0143-7739.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 McDaniel, Karen; Bevill, Sandra; McNeely, Carolyn; Bevill Watson, Dana (2014). "ASSESSING STUDENTS'KNOWLEDGE OF BUSINESS ETIQUETTE FOR AMERICAN DINING" (PDF). Business Studies Journal. 6 (1).
- ↑ Moore, June Hines (1998). The Etiquette Advantage: Rules for the Business Professional. B&H Publishing Group. ISBN 9780805401547. Search this book on
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Sabath, Ann Marie (2005). International business etiquette: Europe. iUniverse. ISBN 9781469793504. Search this book on
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Brosnan, Orla (2017). "The Basics of Business Etiquette: Poor Etiquette Could Lead to Lost Business, so Here Are Our Business Etiquette essentials.(Careers)". Accountancy Ireland. 49 (5): 86–88. ISSN 0001-4699.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Scott, James Calvert (1995). "Using an International Business-Meal Function to Develop Sociocultural Skills (My Favorite Assignment)". Business Communication Quarterly. 58 (3): 55–57. doi:10.1177/108056999505800312. ISSN 1080-5699.
- ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 11.13 11.14 11.15 Martin, Jeanette S; Chaney, Lillian H (2012). Global business etiquette: A guide to international communication and customs. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780313397189. Search this book on
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Toy, Tommy (1996). "Chinese Business Dinners Are Based on tradition.(Column)". Nation’s Restaurant News. 30(3), 24.
- ↑ Vollmer, Sabine (2012). "Business Etiquette in China". Journal of Accountancy. 214(6), 18.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Business etiquette.(Shanghai)". Cities Guide. 2008.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Dining Out in Japan". International Business. 10 (3): 35. 1997. ISSN 1060-4073.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Befu, Harumi (1974). "An Ethnography of Dinner Entertainment in Japan". Arctic Anthropology. 11: 196–203. ISSN 0066-6939.
- ↑ BERNARD SALT (2018). "HOW TO SURVIVE A BUSINESS DINNER.(News)". The Australian Magazine (New South Wales, Australia): n. pag. ISSN 0313-4598.
- ↑ McFadden, Josh (2011). "Mind Your Manners: Business Meeting Etiquette Important as ever.(Business Trends)". Utah Business. 25 (9): n. pag. ISSN 1091-1707.
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