Dining with your boss or work colleagues can be an absolute nightmare if you don't know how you will present yourself. On such an important matter at times it is best to feel comfortable with some social etiquette .
Whether this is the awful Christmas party or a celebratory meal for an excellent performance, pausing to think about the evening and considering these few hints will give you the confidence to perform well.
1. It will always be work
Just because you are out of office hours, don't get lulled into a false sense of security you are technically at work. Think of the problems the social networking pages are presenting for employees who have happily confessed to all sorts of misdemeanours, only to find a letter terminating their employment. This is because most contracts of employment still have the clause about bringing the company into disrepute. Therefore, getting completely hammered and throwing up on your boss's shoes is probably not the best way forward to enhance your career prospects it could jeopordise any future promotional prospects in the company. Don't forget, moderation in drink and behaviour will see you through in the long run.
2. Remember not to try and outsmart the boss
It is always great to be the centre of attention and being able to make people laugh is a real asset. Of course there are some people you just don't want to outshine. If the boss asks you a question answer in a thoughtful fashion,depending on what the question may be.
I was once at an evening social event, and we were all getting on so well with one another, until one employee just could not resist in trying to outdoing the boss in funny stories. Without realising, they soon developed a competition as to who had done the most outrageous things . Everyone else fell silent as this verbal jousting continued as it became quite uncomfortable to watch. There was a definite impact at work as the boss was clearly put out by this and this affected his relationship with the individual.
Be funny and witty but don't try to steal the whole show give the boss a chance to show off after all it is his company.
3. Bringing your spouse/partner
You will have gone home at least some evenings and moaned and complained to your beloved about your boss or your colleagues, and you may have possibly have exaggerated slightly! You just switch off as you have to work with these people but you partner will be feeling quite cross on your behalf that someone has treated you badly.
Unless you give him clear instructions as to who is who, and what he can properly know about company secrets and, more specifically he can't (evidence that you can't keep company secrets is never helpful) he will be a ticking time bomb waiting to explode your career prospects all around like party poppers.
4. What to wear and what not to wear
This is quite possibly a issue for females only, but usually at work you tend to dress in a professional way no low cut tops and not much leg on show.
The problem with business dining is that you feel this is an opportunity to unleash the real you and that may be very tempting- big hair, big eyes, low cut dresses and legs that go on and on and on. Great. Yes, most definitely everyone will be talking about you the next day and your clients and your boss will see you in a different light, but all your credibility will be sliding down the drain, along with your career.
This doesn't mean you cannot dress sexily but in moderation , less is more. If you have your legs on show, keep your bosoms under control and vice versa.
5. What to eat
You may love spaghetti bolognaise but sucking the long strands of pasta through your teeth, while splattering your neighbours with drops of a detergent resistant tomato sauce, will not be the impression you are seeking to create. Remember at very formal functions use the cutlery from outwards gravitating inwards-I learnt that little trick at university and it has never failed me.
Think of the dining scene involving snails in Pretty Woman just order food that is easy to eat. If there is set menu then you can relax because you will not have worry about choice.Most company functions these days either go for buffets or a set menu.
6. Pay your way
This can always be tricky don't assume that the company credit card is picking up the entire.If drinking alcohol then be sure to ask who is paying so there is no misunderstanding.
Also, if you just assume the company is paying, and leave before the end of the night, your work colleagues will end up picking up your share.
Likewise, when you are settling tabs, please don't quibble about the last 27pence, or say loudly, "but I only had a small coke to drink", when in fact you have a good share of several bottles of wine.
Hopefully, your business dining will now run at least a little smoother than before and you will gain a reputation as being good company and an asset to firm for which you work.
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