Etiquette Plus

It depends on where you are and with whom you are dining. If you are alone or with good friends, you may remove your sport coat. For business etiquette, you may remove your coat if your boss or host removes his. Note: At a formal dinner, do not remove your coat at any time.

The first tip is physiology. WALK with confidence. Give FIRM hand shakes. Have a PLEASANT facial expression. Give eye contact. Smile. Act as if you have known these people for years. Enjoy the experience. Attention to detail adds to your professional experience. Gentlemen, as you sit down, unbutton your jacket. As you stand, button the [...]

Pre-set coffee cups are primarily seen at breakfast and large banquets. It is perfectly all right to turn the cup upside down to indicate that you do not care for coffee. The only problem is that if you desire coffee later, be careful that the server does not remove the cup and saucer. To indicate [...]

For business salutations, use a person’s first name only if you have a close relationship. Otherwise a greeting such as “Dear Mr. Jones/Ms. Jones” is appropriate. A faux pas today is to use “Gentleman” or Dear Sir/Madame.” The appropriate salutation when you do not a name is, “To Whom It May Concern.” In business correspondence, [...]