In a highly competitive global business market, job candidates and employees seek to develop qualities that give them an advantage over other professionals. Such qualities often include experience, business savvy, drive to succeed and … dining etiquette? Yes, dining etiquette. Business transactions often take place over meals and it is important for young business professionals to understand proper etiquette and when, where and how it is appropriate to discuss business during a meal. Nearly 100 students and guests learned just that during the University of North Carolina Wilmington Career Center's 12th annual Professional Etiquette: Menu for Success dinner Feb. 13.
During a gourmet five-course meal, national etiquette expert Karen Thompson instructed the group on dining do's and don'ts that ranged from which fork to use first at the dinner table to how to politely decline food they do not want to eat.
Over the resounding clang of 1,500 utensils and dishes, business student Elizabeth Birch said, "This is exciting and overwhelming. It's like I am learning how to eat for the first time."
"Being a business major, I know a lot of deals will be made or broken at the dinner table and I do not want to be misinterpreted," said student Brooke English.
Thompson, an etiquette consultant for Fortune 500 companies and associate director of the UNC Wilmington Career Center, provided insights into both American and "Continental" style etiquette protocol.
"In the whole world, America is the only country that eats in the style we do. Good etiquette takes into consideration the cultural differences in other countries and their etiquette requirements. You need to understand what is globally accepted to set yourselves apart from the competition in today's job market," she told attendees.
Dinner participants, many of whom were international students, practiced how to "outclass the competition" with the correct handshake, proper posture, eye contact and other American nonverbal communication skills.
International student Nadege Giamarchi said, "I will be working with clients one-on-one in marketing. What is done in France is different from here. This is for my future job, so I do not make mistakes."
Photo caption:
UNC Wilmington students Chaz Housand (center) and Tim Joyner (right) learn proper toasting techniques with glasses of tea at the university's business etiquette dinner. UNCW/David Brock
Media contacts:
Dana Fischetti, manager of news and media relations, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu
Karen Thompson, Career Services, 910.962.3174 or thompsonk@uncw.edu.
