Event. Appetizer stations. Waiters passing around food.
How do you handle a plate and still be ready to make that business connection?
Like this:
Other things to consider:
- Eat before or after the event. You’re there for connections, not sustenance.
- Do the math: if you need one hand for the plate and one hand to shake hands, then you have how many hands for holding alcohol? If you counted to “none,” congratulations, that’s the right answer!
- Avoid foods that require silverware, and easy on the dips/sauces. Keep things manageable.
Have fun, kids!
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I'm Jason. I make people shine. My mission is to help 1 million people tell their stories better. 
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And “business dinners” have two — and only two — kinds of people: those there for business and those there for dinner. Which are you?
Gah! I hate seeing people fill their plates at a networking function! Really… unless it’s a chef’s convention, you’re totally okay if you don’t eat much – the hosts won’t be offended.
Did you pick this topic because you didn’t want to get out of your comfy clothes? Be honest.
You’re lucky I watched this, since it didn’t have the girls in it.
Great tip! As a germophobe, that is how I’ve always done it. I don’t want to be eating with the hand that has touched who knows what on other people’s hands.
i wish we’d get away from the handshake all together and move to the bow and curtsey…more fun. great tip, though.
Your “do the math” tip is the best. I’ve seen more than a few good people have that drink only to live to regret it. One guy I remember got very huggy with people he didn’t even know. That goes over like a fart in church.
One doesn’t go to a business dinner to eat or drink. Stay sober, observe and learn.
@Ed—I have a job to do at a business function. When I’m done, I’m gone. I do my socializing elsewhere.
@Karen—It’s a new sweatshirt; I needed to break it in. Thanks for watching.
@Rob—You know, there’s something to be said for exposure to low doses of germs… I worked with a 4-shower-a-day-and-Purell-all-the-time germaphobe who got a horrible infection from a tiny scratch. Apparently, she had weakened her ability to fight off the baddies that got through.
@Charlie—Buy stock now in Cintas, before there’s a run on white gloves.
@Scott—I think I’ll do my favorite drinking tip next.
@Glenn—”Learn?!” At a “social function?!” About 98% of the people who most need your message just tuned you out. Which is good news for the rest of us.
Jason, Just discovered this. outstanding stuff. You talk about the things no one seems willing to bring up. I always tell people that I’m coaching to carry their handkerchief in their left back pocket so if they sneeze, they reach for it and use their left hand, not the hand they shake with. Simple stuff that ain’t so simple.
Thanks for the tips, Elle is adorable (my daughter is 19 and would not likely appear with me. Enjoy it while you can!)
Ron
@Ron—1. In my view, the only stuff worth talking about is the stuff that makes a difference… which makes it easy, since so few of us talk about things that matter. 2. Rest assured, I’m taking full advantage of the age of daddy-hero-worship… I already can see what’s coming… bracing myself for impact at any time…
I think people should stay true to themselves then less people would need to wounder if they are doing the right thing & maybe if more of us got to know each other for real you might find you actually enjoy the evening and a fake smile might just turn out to be a real one!