Business Lunch Etiquette

Reading Comprehension
Make sure to do things right when meeting over lunch with a prospective client or important associate. The last thing you want is for your encounter to be the final one.
Knowing what to do when meeting a prospective client for lunch, or going to lunch with the boss or colleague can be confusing at times. Here is a quick list of items to remember:
1. Be in the present moment with whoever you are with.
Limit glancing around the room. It’s a sign that you are looking for something better. There is nothing worse than having a conversation with someone who is half there.
2. Be on time.
This sounds like plain commonsense. But the percentage of people arriving late is over 65 percent. Don't push your time to the last minute before leaving the office so you will be late.
Take some reading or work with you, arrive early, sit in the lobby, and work. Or give yourself some space to think over how you want to approach the time together your introduction, tone, style, or even a plan for a quick get away if the union isn't working.
The memory implant of your late arrival will always override any request for forgive-ness.
3. Turn off your cell phone before entering the restaurant.
No one around you wants to hear your conversation. Even if you let it ring, pick it up and then take it outside.
4. If you are woman and this is business, it’s appropriate now to stand up and shake the hand of a male.
This overrides the old rule of staying seated. If the meeting is for your spouse’s business and you are coming along because other spouses are coming, then you stay seated as your spouse stands up. This rules applies for either gender.
5. Offer your hand and give a firm handshake. Sometimes, people who don't like to shake hands will not meet yours. Don't think anything of it if they don't, this is just their preference. And particularly, don't say something cute or funny.
6. Think of an opening statement to make as you are shaking hands. This is part of your first impression, so make it good.
Always use the guest’s first name either at the beginning or at the end of the statement. For example, "Thank you for taking the time to get together today, Catherine."
When needing to complete a group of introductions, highest rank rules over gender.
7. Small talk is important - don't leave it out.
The length of time for small talk depends on many factors.
If you are in the presence of famous or very rich people and not in a social setting, then the small talk, if any, is going to be quick and short. It could be as short as one or two sentences. People who know how much their time is worth, or who are doing you a favor by being there, also fall into this category.