Dining Etiquette & Business Meal
– The Right Timing

Business meals are not only limited to lunch meetings, but can vary from breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.

A business breakfast – For a business breakfast, invite someone you already know or if your client is from out of town. Normally, it will take approximately 45 minutes for early morning entertaining. This is a good time to accomplish goals as your mind is still fresh, quieter, and you'll be able to diligently achieve a great deal before afternoon.

Afternoon tea – This is a new trend where people like to do business over tea. The timing works as people are more relaxed since most of the important work had been settled in the morning or during lunch time leaving the afternoon a more stable time to discuss business in a no rush ambience.

Dinner – Dinner with clients should never be the first option unless the clients are from out-of-town. The most productive business dinners are the ones reserved for special occasions when you really want to impress or please someone.

Always remember to confirm the business meal with your clients in case they are too busy and forget about having made earlier arrangements. For a breakfast meeting, call the afternoon before. If you are confirming for lunch or dinner, call in the morning of that day. If for some reason the meeting needs to be postponed or canceled don’t forget to cancel the reservation at the hotel or restaurant to prevent being remembered as a “no show.”

My consultant in Paris was once able to slot in our afternoon tea session at one of the prestigious hotels near the Champs-Elysees, though it was a last minute arrangement. They extended her this courtesy as she regularly brings clients for an afternoon tea and never fails to show up. For most, to enjoy the afternoon tea at this hotel you must make prior arrangements at least a couple of months ahead as it is fully book most of the time.

What a business!