Etiquette Tuesday: It’s a Deal

[ 1 ] October 19, 2010 | Johnna

Picture via TheWashingtonWatch.Com

Some of the top business deals are struck over lunch and dinner. Take for example one of the top headlines of the week: Steve Jobs Pings Mark Zuckerberg for dinner. This dinner could have essentially led to a billion dollar deal which will effect over 1 billion Apple and Facebook users. Knowing the differences between proper and improper dining etiquette could be quintessential in sealing the deal.

Now I’m sure, some etiquette tips go out the window when we are talking the dollar signs associated with Job’s and Zuckerberg, but there are some that apply on every pay scale. This is where this week’s Etiquette Tip comes in: Know How to Seal the Deal. When your doing business, you should keep three key etiquette tips in mind:

Where to dine? When Steve Job’s pinged invited Google CEO Eric Schmidt to talk business, they went to a coffee shop. Perfect place for business conversation. A loud, bustling bar would not have been ideal for this type of meeting.
What to order? The greasy, dripping ribs?? Not a good idea. You will typically be shaking hands at some point during the meal, avoid spreading the messiness.
What to say? This is business, not personal. Keep it general (*sports, other good places to eat, etc.) when discussing topics outside the business deal.

I hope this week’s Etiquette tip finds you in good spirits…now let’s make a deal!

Category: Food.Fun.Stuff.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.