Professional Development

Three simple tricks to avoid common event faux pas

Have you ever been so confounded by all the little rules at fancy events that you felt like ducking out early? Or, maybe you’ve been making some etiquette mistakes and not even known it. Whether we like it or not, etiquette is important in social situations, so it’s time to learn three quick tips:

Your nametag goes on the right side.

Accidentally putting your nametag on the left side isn’t going to make or break you, but it can show that you’re not very savvy. This is one of those things that if you get right, nobody’s going to say, “Did you see Katie? She put her nametag on the correct side!” However, they might notice if you’ve put it on the wrong side. Seriously. People do notice these things.

Why put it on the right? Well, there is a reason beyond simple etiquette. It’s supposed to be easier to read the nametag of the other person you’re shaking hands with their nametag is the right. Personally I haven’t found this to be particularly true, but I do it anyway.

I remember that it goes on the right by thinking it goes on the side opposite of the hand I use to write. I’m left-handed; therefore, it goes on the right. Obviously the same trick works if you’re right-handed - only it’s the hand you that you do write with.

 Your bread plate is to left and your drink is to the right.

You sit down at a luncheon for your professional organization, and you’re suddenly confronted with an onslaught of silver and glassware. What’s yours and what’s your neighbor’s can be a challenge to discern with all that stuff shoved on the table. This a very common problem, but it has a very simple solution.

Take your left hand and form an “o” with your forefinger and thumb. Then line up your other three fingers in a straight line. Now do the same with your right hand. Hopefully, your fingers look something like this:

                              b      d 

Your left hand, shaped like a “b” stands for bread. Your bread plate is to the left of your plate. Your right hand, shaped like a “d” stands for drink. Your drink is the one to the right of your plate.

Discretely put your hands under the table and form the letters. You’ll never drink out of the wrong glass again!

Signal you’re done eating by placing your fork and knife like parallel soldiers on your plate.

First of all, I should mention that your utensils should never touch the table after you first lift them off the napkin. You may rest them on the edge of your plate facing inward to signal you’re still chomping away.

To let the wait staff know you’re done, place your fork and knife parallel to one another and lay them across your plate at a 45-degree angle with the tops up. Check out my chopsticks after a delicious dinner of sushi.

While you’re at it, if you don’t want coffee, turn the mug over. You’ll be the savviest person in the room.