How Do I Eat This?

As an image and etiquette consultant, one of the most common questions I get is how to properly eat a particular food during a business meal. Dining with a client, boss, or colleague can feel very much like a date. Ordering certain dishes can make you feel awkward and clumsy, or even cause you to make an embarrassing mess. We all know (or should know, at least!) the basics, like not talking with our mouth full of food, but are you confident about eating the following foods in an elegant manner?

Spaghetti: I typically advise people against ordering spaghetti because it can be so messy. To me, it’s a dish best enjoyed with the family, not an important business contact. However, if you just can’t resist that craving, at least make sure that you have a manageable, bite-sized bundle before attempting to eat—slurping your noodles is not a good look! The etiquette books say one should twirl the spaghetti against the plate with the fork. This can be messy. In the U.S. and Canada, a large spoon is provided to twirl the pasta against the spoon. The continental style allows for cutting the spaghetti and using a knife to scoop it, but that approach may draw strange looks here in the States.

Soup: Spoon the soup away from you. If you need to tip the bowl, make sure that it is tipped away from you, never towards you. If you are using a round soup spoon, sip from the side of the spoon; do not put the whole spoon in your mouth. If you are using a tablespoon, you may put the end of the spoon in your mouth. Be careful to avoid splatter.

Salad: It is okay to cut any oversized salad leaves, but don’t cut them all up into little pieces at once. I like to make 2 or 3 large cuts to help distribute the dressing, then cut smaller bites as I eat. Discreetly run your tongue along your teeth to feel for any lettuce that may be lodged in your teeth—but don’t pick at it with your nails! Another no-no? Using your fingers to pick at croutons or cherry tomatoes. Always use your fork.

Gravies and Sauces: Is it okay to sop up the last bit of gravy or dressing? I would not recommend it for a business meal. However, if you insist, you can break a piece of bread and put it on the plate. Then, use a fork to dip the bread into the sauce and bring it to your mouth.

Dips and Salsas: Never double dip, and take care to avoid spilling when you bring the chip or crudité back to your plate. Avoid dunking your fingers into the dip, and use utensils (forks, skewers) if they have been provided.

Cheese: If you’ve been presented with a cheeseboard, cut the cheese so that it retains its original shape. For example, take a wedge-shaped piece from a round cheese, rather than slicing off a squared-off chunk.

Asparagus: These should be cut with a knife and fork, not ingested whole. The tough ends may be left on your plate.

Bones: Bones can be fussy, so proceed with caution. I would urge you to avoid messy items like Buffalo wings and sauce-slathered ribs during business meals—it’s impossible to look graceful and professional when eating them. For things like roast chicken, use your knife and fork to carefully pick around the meat. If you’re eating frog legs or quail, it is acceptable to use your fingers to eat off the bone, but you should never gnaw.

Sandwiches and Burgers: Cut these in half and go easy on the sauce to avoid a mess. You don’t want to be seen gobbling down a giant quarter-pounder that starts to seep out the sides.

One last word of advice: Plan ahead. Look up the menu of the restaurant where you are planning to meet so that you can select one or two dishes ahead of time and research any last-minute dining techniques. If you aren’t comfortable and confident with eating something, get something else. You want your guests to notice your words, not your eating habits!

©2012 Professional Image Management If you would like to use this article in your newsletter or blog, you may do so. Please include our credit information: Written by Juanita Ecker, Professional Image Management. © Copyright 2012. I would also appreciate it if you would send us a copy for our files.