How to Order Food at a Business Lunch

The business lunch can be a daunting experience. In addition to coming across as a competent professional, you also have to consider table manners and etiquette when dining with clients, superiors or potential employers. Offending others puts a bad impression on you and your company, so it's important to know how to act and what to order when faced with an important business meal.

What you order at a business lunch is important to the overall impression you make. Never order anything that is sloppy to eat or makes a noise when consumed, such as soups, buffalo wings, sloppy sandwiches and sauce-covered pastas. Foods that require a lot of work to eat, such as crab legs or lobster, are also bad choices. You also want to avoid anything with a pungent smell, such as fish, garlic or onions, so as not to offend others sitting near you. It's a good idea to follow the lead of your host. If he or she orders a grilled chicken salad, you don't want to be the one ordering a prime rib with all the trimmings. Keep it light and simple. Grilled boneless chicken, salads, rice and vegetables are all easy-to-eat, low-maintenance choices.

During a business lunch, you may be presented with the opportunity to consume alcohol. Some companies forbid this, while others are more lenient. The best rule of thumb is to simply refrain, even if others at the table indulge. The point of a business meal is to discuss business, not to let your hair down. Ordering water or an iced tea keeps you clear-headed enough to discuss the topics at hand. If your host insists, then limit yourself to just one drink, and avoid hard liquor.

What you order during a business lunch is not the only thing that matters. Brush up on classic table etiquette before embarking on the meeting. Use good posture when at the table, keep your elbows by your sides, excuse yourself politely if you must leave the table during the meal, use your knife and fork to cut bite-size pieces of food one at a time, chew with your mouth closed and be polite to the waitstaff. These rules may seem old-fashioned, but during an important business lunch, a lack of table manners could be what costs you that big promotion or business deal.

Whether your business lunch is a meeting with colleagues, a client presentation or a job interview, it is important to remember that the occasion is not about the food, it is about business. Following the tips outlined here, as well as focusing on the conversation and maintaining good manners, will help you make a good impression on your fellow business lunch guests.

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