Pointers on politeness for holiday partying - business parties - Brief Article

Nation's Business, Dec, 1996 by Roberta Maynard

Are you ready for parties and other holiday business functions?

Here are some year-round protocol pointers for hosts as well as guests, offered by Valerie Sokolosky, author of five books on business etiquette. She is president of Valerie and Co., a management consulting firm in Dallas.

* When hosting a dinner meeting with clients at a restaurant, make prior arrangements with the maitre d' to have your guests escorted to the table as a group. At the table, begin your conversation with the person to your right, your guest of honor.

* As a dinner guest, never choose a seat at the host's right unless invited. If you know ahead of time that you must leave early, take a seat toward the exit.

* If you are hosting a party for people who don't know one another well, include a conversation cue on each name tag, such as the person's department or job type or perhaps a favorite hobby,

* If you wish to offer a toast, subtly request your host's permission, and always wait for the host to offer the first toast.

* When leaving the table temporarily, place your napkin on the seat or on an arm of the chair. Putting your napkin on the table signals to the waiter that you are finished eating and ready to leave.

* Before attending any large event, plan the contacts you intend to make, and choose several conversational topics. A reminder: Business cards should not be exchanged at black-tie events.

* If you take a gift when attending a dinner at someone's home, it's best to choose something that the host can put away for later use rather than, say, flowers, which require immediate attention and take the host away from guests.

* If you forget someone's name just before making an introduction, don't let the lapse cause the person the embarrassment of going unintroduced. However awkward, the best thing to do is to apologize, ask the person's name, and make the introduction.

* When your company sends holiday greeting cards to clients, you should sign your name below the company name and write a brief, general note. If you know the client personally, make it a longer note with a personal message.

* If you choose entertaining as a way to generate business, be sure the event is well-planned, with clear objectives and sufficient staff and funding.