Test Your Business Savvy!

1. You approach a revolving door with your client.  Who goes through first?

1. You
2. Your guest
3. Depends

2. Is this an appropriate introduction:  Mr. Client Jones, I would like to introduce to you, Mrs. Boss Smith? 

1. Yes
2. No

3. What is considered “comfortable personal and business conversation space” when standing and talking with your North American client?

1. 1 foot
2. 3 to 4 feet
3. 4 to 5 feet

4. At lunch with your best client, you bite into a piece of meat that is tough and very difficult to chew, you:

1. Pretend to wipe your mouth and deposit into your napkin.
2. Use two fingers or your fork to remove it and place it on the edge of your plate underneath a piece of parsley.
3. Swallow it and hope you don’t choke.
4. None of the above.

5. When you sit down to a hosted business dinner table set for 10, it is correct to start eating when:

1. Most of the guests are seated.
2. The first course served.
3. The host picks up his or her napkin.

6. You are dining with an important client.  You accidentally drop your fork on the floor.  What do you do?

1. Pick it up, wipe it off, and use it.
2. Pick it up, give it to the server, and ask him/her to bring you another one.
3. Leave it on the floor and ask the server to bring you another one.
4. Leave it on the floor and grab your neighbor’s fork while he’s not looking.

7. A woman’s handbag, if it’s small, may be placed on:

1. A desk.
2. The boardroom table.
3. A restaurant table.
4. All of the above.
5. None of the above.

8. May I send an E-mail as a thank-you after a business dinner?

1. Yes
2. No

9. When your client is late for lunch, how long should you wait before calling and how long before leaving the restaurant?

1. Call after 30 minutes, leave after 45 minutes.
2. Call after 15 minutes, leave after 30 minutes.
3. Call after 30 minutes, leave after 60 minutes.

10. Your client meeting is scheduled for 9:00 am.  What time should you arrive for your appointment?

1. No more than thirty minutes prior to the meeting time
2. Not earlier than 8:50.
3. Don’t be early; it appears over eager.

Business Etiquette Quiz – Answers

1. You approach a revolving door with your client.  Who goes through first?  Explain.

C. Depends
If the door is already in motion, stand back and allow your guest to enter first.  If the door is not revolving, let the guest know that you will push the door, go through, and be waiting on the other side to escort him or her to your destination.

2. Is this an appropriate introduction:  Mr. Client Jones, I would like to introduce to you, Mrs. Boss Smith? 

A. Yes
The name of the most important person is said first in an introduction. Your client is more important than your employer.

3. What is considered “comfortable personal and business conversation space” when standing and talking with your North American client?

B. 3 to 4 feet
Consider personal space when approaching a client.  North Americans are comfortable speaking with business acquaintances at a distance of about 3 to 4 feet.

4. At lunch with your best client, you bite into a piece of meat that is tough and very difficult to chew, you:

B. Use two fingers or your fork to remove it and place it on the edge of your plate underneath a piece of parsley.
The general rule is, “it comes out the way it went in.”  If you used a fork, you may want to remove the food with a fork.  However, do what is quickest and does not draw attention to you.

5. When you sit down to a hosted business dinner table set for 10, it is correct to start eating when:

C. The host picks up his or her napkin.
Your host placing the napkin on his or her lap signals that the guests may begin eating.  You would then place your napkin in your lap and begin the meal.

6. You are dining with an important client.  You accidentally drop your fork on the floor.  What do you do?

C. Leave it on the floor and ask the server to bring you another one.
Never retrieve any dining utensil or your napkin if it is dropped on the floor.  If a utensil may trip a server or other guests, you may gently tap it out of the way with your foot.

7. A woman’s handbag, if it’s small, may be placed on:

E. None of the above.
This is business; handbags, tote bags and briefcases are never left on any table, even after the meal is finished or the meeting is adjourned.

8. May I send an E-mail as a thank-you after a business dinner?

A. Yes
B. No
This question has two answers!  Yes, you may e-mail your thank-you but this truly makes you appear just ordinary.

9. When your client is late for lunch, how long should you wait before calling and how long before leaving the restaurant?

B. Call after 15 minutes, leave after 30 minutes.
It is acceptable to call and if the client is unreachable, it is acceptable to leave the restaurant after waiting for a minimum of 30 minutes.  Call your client and explain that you had to leave and that you would like to reschedule.

10. Your client meeting is scheduled for 9:00 am.  What time should you arrive for your appointment?

B. Not earlier than 8:50. That gives you (and your client) time to get organized.

Are You An Etiquette Star?

8 to 10 questions correct: You are an etiquette star!
5 to 7 questions correct: Go to the front of the class!
4 and below: Quick, call the etiquette police!