When eating with foreign guests, we should pay special attention to etiquette and the differences between Chinese and foreign cultural customs. There are many precautions for eating with foreign guests. How much do you know? Let's take a look at the precautions for receiving foreign guests for dinner with me.
Precautions for receiving foreign guests for dinner
The first commandment: Don't fight an unprepared war
Before choosing a restaurant to eat, you can learn about the dishes, features and geographical location of the restaurant through its website, so that you can have a clear mind when you meet the guests and you won't be hesitant when ordering.
The second commandment: Don't wolf down when eating
Even if you are hungry, don't be too obvious when eating. Eating like a wolf will leave a very poor impression on the guests. If you only focus on the food on the plate, your conversation with the guests may seem absent-minded, which is disrespectful to the guests and loses the meaning of business western food. In the end, you will lose more than you gain.
the third commandment: don't go against your guests when ordering
If the guests are vegetarians, you'd better not eat too much fish and meat when ordering. If the guests don't order appetizers, you don't order them either. To sum up, what kind of dishes the guests order, you should try to choose something with similar style, and make sure that the number of dishes is consistent with the guests.
the fourth commandment: don't order when ordering? Risk? Dishes
these? Risk? Dishes may stain your clothes, or they may make you eat nothing (such as a stuffed tooth). For example, spaghetti may slip from the fork, dishes with too much sauce may splash on your shirt, and spinach may get caught between your teeth. Therefore, when ordering, try to choose dishes that are easy to eat and not so difficult to eat, and the sauce in the dishes should be as little as possible, so as not to stain your clothes and affect your appearance.
the fifth commandment: don't get drunk
generally, people don't drink alcohol in business western food, especially in business lunches. If you have to drink alcohol during meals, you must always pay attention to the amount you drink and keep your mind awake at all times. Talking nonsense after drinking is equivalent to self-destruction of your future.
The sixth commandment: Don't make common sense mistakes
(1) Don't wipe your nose with a napkin;
(2) Don't open your mouth when chewing food;
(3) Don't lick your fingers after grasping food with your hands;
(4) Don't put the napkin on the dining table when you leave the seat, put it on the seat;
(5) avoid taking the wrong cups and plates, and remember the BMW principle that the Bread plate is on your left, the main dish plate is in your middle, and the water cup and wine glass are on your right;
Seventh Commandment: Don't put mobile devices on the dining table
Putting mobile devices (such as mobile phones and tablet computers) on the dining table will not only affect your meal, but also distract your attention and prevent you from communicating well with the guests, which is also a great disrespect to the guests. Therefore, before eating, you should put your mobile phone in vibration mode and put it in your briefcase to avoid affecting your dining with guests.
the eighth commandment: don't be petty
Even if a waiter accidentally buckles a glass of wine on your straight suit, you should be patient and don't get angry. This time is the time for guests to observe you carefully, and it is also a manifestation of people under pressure. Your reaction is the most direct manifestation of your ability to resist pressure.
table manners for receiving foreign guests
In business western food, you represent not only an individual, but also the image of a company, so your every move is also a representative of the corporate image. Pay special attention to the most basic table manners, and the following points need special attention:
(1) Never put electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablets on the table;
(2) You need to talk during the meal, but don't talk when the food in your mouth hasn't been swallowed. It's best to follow the speed and rhythm of the other person's meal;
(3) When you leave your seat for a short time, never put the napkin directly on the dining table, but fold it and put it on the seat;
(4) If the service in the restaurant is slow, you can complain and complain, but don't get angry.
content of discussion
as mentioned above, business western food is a platform for communication, and its more purpose is to enhance mutual understanding, so business western food should not be regarded as an office and a conference room. The content of the discussion is mostly limited to oral communication. Be careful not to take out the contract and plan from the briefcase during the meal and ask the other party to read it. This will seriously affect the guests' dining, and it is often regarded as a bad living habit, and it is very likely that the documents will fall on the food on the table accidentally.
correctly understand the function of business western food, regard it as the beginning and lubricant of business negotiation, and don't rush for success. The final decision should be left in the office and conference room.
who pays for business western food
business western food is usually paid by the inviter. If the guest insists on paying the bill, you should at least have AA with the guest, but in case the guest is very stubborn, you'd better follow the guest and never argue with the guest about paying the bill. Pay attention to ensure that the credit card has sufficient credit limit before eating, or carry enough cash to avoid the situation of no money to pay.
Start from scratch and pay attention to every detail. Business western food etiquette is a necessary condition for communicating with westerners. Do you want to be a serious person? Gentleman? Or? Lady? , but also constantly reflect and temper.