绿帽社

Frequently Asked Questions by Students

If your boss enters the room when you are meeting with an important client, how do you handle the introductions? 
You should introduce the more important person first. Address the client first and introduce your boss.

You are entering a cab with an important business client. You position yourself so the client is seated curbside. Is this correct? 
Yes. When your client steps out of the cab, he or she will be on the curbside and not in the traffic or sliding across the seat.

When you greet a visitor in your office, should you tell them where to sit? 
Yes. Indicating where your visitor should sit will make him or her more comfortable.

You have an appointment to meet a business associate for a working lunch and you arrive a few minutes early to find a table. Thirty minutes later, your associate still has not arrived. What should you do?
Order your lunch and eat. You have waited long enough. You should expect an apology from your associate later.

You are greeting or saying good-bye to someone. When is the proper time to shake their hand? 
It is rarely improper to shake someone's hand.

You are talking with a group of five people. With whom do you make eye contact? 
Try to make eye contact with each of the five, moving from person to person.

Tips 

• Business can be summed up "It's all about people." Be sure to talk and visit with people, and arrive early sometimes to do so. Keep notes or a database on people with names, phone numbers, etc. And always try to personalize your connections with people and try to be thoughtful. Always return phone calls.
• Employers look for a sense of self-worth. Believe in yourself. If not, how can your employer expect you to do a good job in representing a company? Credit your strengths and work on your weaknesses.
• The most important thing to remember in business etiquette is to be courteous and thoughtful to the people around you, regardless of the situation. Always consider the other person's feelings, and stay with your convictions as diplomatically as possible.
• Always return phone calls even if you do not have an answer yet. Call and inform the person what you are doing to get the requested information, or direct them to someone who can get the information.
• First impressions are important. The first twelve words you speak should include some form of thanks if appropriate. If you are meeting someone for the first time, express your gratitude.
• One of the greatest fears people have is speaking in front of a group. If the group is twenty or two hundred, be prepared, be confident, and be yourself!

Four ways to feel comfortable in a room full of strangers:

1. Approach individuals who are standing alone.
2. Treat everyone you meet as through he or she were the most important person at the gathering.
3. Listen more than you speak.
4. Stay within arms-length distance of the individuals whom you have just met.

Rules of introduction:

1. Stand up
2. Smile
3. Always shake hands, firmly
4. Make eye contact
5. Repeat the other person's name

When professional criticism comes your way, follow these guides to gain benefit:

1. Listen closely
2. Take responsibility
3. Ask for specifics
4. Recognize your feelings
5. Think about your response
6. Thanks for the feedback

Frequently Asked Questions by Students

You are invited to a reception and invitation states "6:00 to 8:00 pm." When should you arrive?
You may arrive exactly at 6:00, after 6:00, but not before. It is terribly impolite to arrive early.

You are the host of a dinner party at a restaurant. Included are two other couples and your most valuable client and his wife. You instruct the waiter to: 
To serve your client's spouse first, and you and your spouse last.

When is it proper to remove your napkin from the table, and what do you do with it when you are finished? 
Place your napkin on your lap after everyone at your table has been seated. When you are finished, place the napkin on the right side of your plate.

When is it proper to begin eating?
Begin eating after everyone at your table has been served.

How should you hold your utensils? 
There are two acceptable ways to hold the knife and fork. The first way is continental style. The diner cuts the food usually one bite at a time and uses the fork in the left hand, tines pointing down to spear the food and bring it to the mouth. The second style is called American. Usually a few bites are cut, the knife is laid across the top of the plate, sharp edge toward you, and the fork is switched to the right hand, if right-handed, tines up to bring the food to the mouth.

When you are dining out, if you have multiple utensils, how do you know what to choose? 
Start on the outside and work your way in.

What do you do if you drop a piece of silverware? 
Pick it up if you can reach it and ask the server for a clean one. If you cannot reach it, tell the server you dropped a piece of your silverware and ask for a clean one.

Should the salt and pepper be passed if only one was requested? 
Always pass the salt and pepper together.

What is the correct way to eat soup? 
Always spoon the soup away from you then bring around to your mouth and back to the bowl. Think of making a circle.

What is the correct way to eat rolls or bread? 
Eat rolls or bread by tearing off small bite size pieces and buttering only the piece you are preparing to eat. When you are ready for another piece, repeat the same process.

The waiter is coming in your direction to serve wine. You do not want any. Your turn your glass upside down. Are you correct?
No. Do not call attention to your dislike of your host's choice of beverage.

Someone has proposed a toast in your honor. You say "thank you" and take a sip of your drink. Are you correct? 
No. If you do, then you are toasting yourself.

When is it acceptable to place your elbows on the table? 
Only between courses, not while you ar