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Managing Messy Food
For the past month you have been attending more than the usual
number of parties and receptions, and the end is not yet in sight.
You knew before you arrived at these business related events that you
were expected to be on your best professional behavior. No letting
down your guard so you prepared ahead of time.
You thought
about who would be there, what you would wear, and what you might
talk about. You had something to eat before you went so you wouldn't
rush straight for the bar and the buffet table. You arrived on time
so you wouldn't have to play catch up or interrupt people already
locked in conversation.
After working the room a while, you
decided to eat. Of course, you stopped at the bar first so with drink
in hand, you headed for the hors d'oeuvres, picked up the chicken on
a skewer, dipped it into the sauce and took a bite. Unfortunately the
chicken didn't slide right off the skewer so you began tugging at it
with your teeth. About that time the boss walked up. There you were
with a glass in one hand, chicken in the other and sauce running down
your chin. Two questions came to mind: how did you get into this mess
and how are you going to get out of it? An ounce of prevention was
definitely worth a pound of cure.
Here's how you might have
avoided this humiliation altogether.
Do one thing at a time.
Either have a drink or a bite to eat. It is difficult to juggle food
and beverage and still have a hand free for shaking hands.
Avoid any foods that may get messy. If you do attempt the skewered
meat and dipping sauce, have a napkin in hand help you manage the
runoff. Hold a napkin under any food eaten with your fingers.
It is easier to manage food that is passed, but before you take
one of those giant stuffed mushrooms, consider what will happen if
you pop the entire thing into your mouth or if you bite into that
juicy tidbit. If there is risk involved, wait to see what else comes
along.
When food is served with a toothpick, discard it
properly. The toothpick never goes back on the serving tray. If a
container is not provided, put the toothpick in your napkin, on your
plate, if you have one, or on the tray that the server is using to
collect empty glasses.
And keep in mind that double dipping
is forbidden. Once you have dipped the asparagus in sauce, you don't
get another opportunity with the same item. You want more sauce; have
another asparagus.
If you end up with something in your
mouth that you don't like or can't chew, transfer it from your mouth
to your napkin when no one is looking. Then find a wastebasket or the
tray for the used plates and glasses.
Proceeding with
caution and remembering that these events are not about the food will
keep you out of embarrassing situations.
© Lydia Ramsey. All rights reserved.
 
About the
Author
 Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional
speaker, corporate trainer and author of Manners That Sell: Adding
The Polish That Builds Profits. She has been quoted or featured
in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc.,
Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more information about her
programs, products and services, e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit
her web site http://www.mannersthatsell.com
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