How to Silently Spoon Your Way to Success

Statistics show, that when people are forming an initial impression about us, they base their opinion on how we look and how we act. When I worked as a Human Resources executive, the final step to the interview process was a business lunch. Nearly 40% of the applicants were not hired after the lunch meeting, because they did not know how practice proper dining etiquette. Since the weather is cooling down, soup is more likely to be a part of your menu options. Follow these tips and “put your best spoon forward” to increase your success

Bennet Cerf, 20th century American humorist:
"Good manners: The noise you don't make when you're eating soup."

• Do: Ladle the soup away from you.  Think of the soup bowl as a clock; dip at 12:00, then drag your spoon on the edge to removes drips.
• Don’t: Put the entire spoon in your mouth; tilt it and sip (silently, of course!) from the side of the spoon, not the tip.
• Don’t: Blow on your soup if it’s too hot; eat the cooler part near the top of the bowl first.
• Don’t: Mash saltine type crackers into your soup. If you are served oyster crackers, these are acceptable to sprinkle onto your soup (these are typically served with chowder).
• Do: Rest your spoon on the serving plate that’s under the bowl when taking a break to eat a bite of bread, to sip your beverage, or to participate in the conversation.
• Do: Tip your bowl away from you if you must get the last spoonful.
• Do: Place your spoon on the serving plate when finished, alongside the bowl. If there is no plate, leave the spoon in your bowl.
• Do: Position yourself at the table properly to ensure the greatest success.  You should have two hand widths between the table and your stomach.  When you take a bite, you can bend over very slightly, bringing the food to your mouth instead of bending down close to your plate.  Please, no shoveling allowed!

When you feel confident, you can focus on your guest, client or colleague, and not on which fork to use.  Practicing proper etiquette is a key component of your business success.  Understanding how your words and actions demonstrate respect for others, will enable you to conduct a meal meeting with class and ease. If you want to feel more confident in personal or business situations, sign up for a private or group “Dine and Shine” session now!

Kay Hunter is a personal image coach and corporate trainer, specializing in complete makeovers, business and dining etiquette, and is the President of Imagine…The Possibilities in Orange County.  She has transformed hundreds of clients into more successful and confident professionals.

Kay can be contacted at (714) 665-8866, kay@kayhunter.info , www.kayhunter.info.