Knowing what to do when meeting a prospective client for lunch, or going to lunch with
boss or colleague can be confusing at times. Here is a quick list of items to remember:1. Be in present moment with whoever you are with. Limit glancing around 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. Being on time. This sounds so commonsensical. The percentage of people being late is over 65 percent. Don't push your time to last minute before leaving office so you will be late. Take some reading or work with you, arrive early, sit in lobby, and work. Or give yourself some space to think over how you want to approach time together. You introduction, tone, style, or even plan a quick get away if union isn't working. The memory implant of your lateness will always override any request for forgiveness.
3. Turn off your cell phone before entering restaurant. No one around you wants to hear your conversation. Even if you let it ring, pick it up and then take it outside. Did you leave your lunch companion alone? This is just plain rude. If you have an "I don't care attitude" about this, I'll tell you a story about a lunch guest of mine who did this and three prospects she was meeting didn't even sit down. They saw her talk, she waved a 1-minute finger single to them, and they turned around and walked out. They wouldn't even answer her phone calls or emails afterwards.
4. If you are woman and this is business, it’s appropriate now to stand up and shake hand of a male. This overrides old rule of staying seated. If 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 guest’s first name either at beginning or at end of statement. For example, "Thank you for taking time to get together today, Catherine." When needing to complete a group of introductions, highest rank rules over gender.
