Making an excellent impression is one of the quickest and most efficient ways in earning a client’s trust. It is also very effective in getting more sponsors or business partners to join your business as they will be shown how much of a sophisticated and credible individual you are. Despite its significance, however, how do you actually establish such a delicate image?

Answer? Through practice of table etiquette!

It would be a shame to have a breakfast for office meeting and not know what basic table manners are. They are a set of customs or behavior that you should and should not do when eating in front of the table. Some of them are now widely known, while some are still unfamiliar to others. To give a few examples of such reminders in order to capture the interest of those you are dining with, read below:

NAPKINS SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE LAP AS SOON AS YOU ARE SEATED

When having a breakfast for office meeting, you should remember to put the table napkin on your lap as soon as you sit on the chair. If all the other members of the conference are not participating, it is still always best to initiate the habit yourself. The napkins are usually placed on top of the plate being served, and in most cases, they are white and beautifully folded. The moment you stand and leave the table, on the other hand, you should place the napkin on the left side of the plate. Do not worry if you are not familiar about how they are folded, because it is okay to leave it unfolded.

DON’T SIT TOO CLOSE TO THE TABLE

One of the biggest errors in table etiquette when having a breakfast for office meeting is letting your elbows sit on top of the table. To avoid such habit, simply sit a little distant from the table in order for your arms and elbows to move freely. Give them space for your hands to have the same level as your spoon, fork and knife. Bend your arms to reach the desired height of the hands to acquire the proper posture and eat comfortably at the same time.

DON’T STRETCH ACROSS PEOPLE

It is completely impolite to reach for something right across someone else at the table while having a breakfast for office meeting. In order for you to get whatever you are trying to get a hold of from the other side of the table, ask for assistance from the waiter—or if there is no attendant around to aid you, simply ask whoever is nearest to the object or food to pass it on to you.

DO NOT START EATING UNTIL EVERYBODY HAS BEEN SERVED THEIR FOOD

Even in other aspects of social interaction, it is pleasant to put other people first. Wait for everyone to have their food set before you start eating during a breakfast for office meeting. To add more elegance to your conduct, assist them with the things they need such as handing them over butter, pepper, or salt. You can also hand them over the menu to see all the food they want to taste.