How to Survive Dinner with your Boss
An invitation to have dinner with your boss can be quite scary especially if you are not so free with your boss. Dinner with your boss can be quite challenging, given the fact that your boss will be interacting with you on a more personal level.
This means that you have to behave yourself and make sure that you have good table manners and you know what kind of conversation is appropriate when you are having dinner with your boss. The following are some of the survival tips that will help when you are going to have dinner with your boss.
1. Dress appropriately for the occasion
You should wear an appropriate dress when you are going out with your boss. Remember that you must make a good impression and keep it formal. Wearing clothes that reveal cleavage or thighs is not a good idea it may send the wrong message to your boss.
Avoid wearing very skimpy skirts or dresses that leave nothing to imagination. You should dress appropriately remember this is your boss not your boyfriend.
2.Keep time
When you have been invited to have dinner with your boss it is advisable to make your way to the venue much earlier rather than keep your boss waiting when you get held up in traffic.
3. Be mindful of your conversation with your boss
It is a big no for you to talk about fellow workmates with your boss. Keep the conversation away from office gossip, you would rather talk about politics of events around the world rather than what goes on in the office.Even if your boss chooses to ask you about your workmates, only share with him/her the positive attributes of your workmates.
Avoid giving him/her too much information, that might land you in trouble with fellow workmates in the event that he/she quotes you in his/her conversation with your workmates.You should avoid talking about your personal issues even if you feel a strong urge to do so, remember this is your boss. You have to maintain a stable and level headed status before your boss, you don't want him/her to think that your life is such a mess.
4. Avoid your mobile phone
When having dinner with your boss, it is good manners to either switch your phone off or put it on silent mode. It is rude to take calls in between a conversation and it can be quite annoying for your boss to patiently wait for you to finish your phone conversation or listen to your conversation.Your phone should be left in your pocket or purse, it has no room on the dinner table.
5. Avoid ordering messy foods
It is advisable to stay away from messy foods when you are having dinner with your boss. Order for foods that are easy to maneuver, especially if you are not so good with the cutlery when eating your meals.
6. Keep your food order modest
When ordering for food make sure that you order for food that is in a comparable range with what you boss has ordered for. Avoid ordering for very expensive food even if you feel like you want to eat a special type of food. It is better to have your boss order first and then you can order after him/her.
7. Avoid alcohol
Even if you like to have a glass of Martini every evening, keep off alcohol when you have been invited for dinner by your boss. Remember you have to be at your best behavior.
On such a night order for water or any other non alcoholic beverages and avoid being embarrassed in the event that you drink alcohol and get drunk. It is impossible to control your behavior when drunk so it is better to avoid drinking alcohol when having dinner with your boss.
8. Maintain a good dining or table etiquette
When having dinner with your boss, you should be mindful of how you chew your food. Avoid talking when your mouth is full of food, the spills from drinks or food spills will only embarrass you. Eat and drink slowly; it is safer and much neater.
Study the cutlery prior to the dinner, or you can ask a waiter or waitress to teach you the uses of the various cutlery sets used when dining.
9. Maintain your confidence
Even if you feel like you are shaking and crumbling inside, when having dinner with your boss don't show it. Remain calm and avoid panicking or showing signs of being nervous when having dinner with your boss, it only ruin the evening.
10. Remember to thank your boss for the invitation
After having a good evening with your boss over dinner, don't forget to thank your boss for the dinner invitation.
