On Thursday, October 13, SPC Downtown students gathered to sharpen their business etiquette skills at a luncheon with cloth napkins, a full place setting, and some difficult foods to eat.  Priscilla Murtha, a certified Etiquette Consultant, walked the students through the meal indicating which utensil to use and what to do with the napkin.

She shared some of the foods to avoid in a business setting like spaghetti, peas, lobster, and salad. For a variety of reasons, including a high chance for mess, these foods are problematic.

Tabatha Leaks, a HSA student, learned that you should wait until everyone has been served before you begin eating.  Accounting student Mario Robinson learned how to discreetly handle the situation when there is a problem with your order.  Also, the correct placement of the knife and fork during and after the meal was something many found helpful.

Ms. Murtha shared that some etiquette guidelines simply involved remembering “the right way” to do things like:

• Wear your name badge near the right shoulder.
• Keep your right hand free at networking events to shake hands.
• Approach your chair from the right hand side to be seated.
• At the table, pass the food to your right.
• When waiting for an elevator, stand to the right of the door opening.

In addition to the above, some good small talk topics to use include commenting on art work in the surrounding area, travel, fashion, and family (as long as it is on a friendly level and not too familiar).  Student Peter Halpern said he learned the importance of making eye contact and smiling while you are having conversation at the table.  All of this is excellent advice for any type of business setting.

There will be another Business Etiquette Luncheon at the Midtown Center on Tuesday, November 1, at 12:30 p.m.  You can reserve your attendance here:  http://web.spcollege.edu/survey/22310