Missed Manners

During a recent business lunch at Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, I made the critical error of ordering a hamburger. Have you ever seen a Michael Jordan's Steakhouse burger? If not, let me just say that they are sizable suckers.

I carefully sliced the massive sandwich in two and attempted to take lady-like bites.

It wasn't really working for me.

I resorted to a fork and knife. That didn't work for long either. While trying to delicately handle the carving of my hunk-o'-burning chopped prime beef along with applying a thin gloss of ketchup, I suddenly lost control of the bovine. A piece of burger went sailing across the table.

And, what did the Vamp do? Laugh it off. What was the other option? Happily, it was a very friendly client, so the whole incident made for some gentle ribbing later.

But, the whole scenario might not have happened at all, had I only known about Rutgers University's Dining Etiquette Workshop. The seminar is especially designed for job seekers, but it sounds like it could be just as useful to those of us making our way through the corporate jungle, one business lunch at a time.

Good table manners aside though, I must say this - The burger was delish. And, it was all that much better after a few laughs. Not suggesting that you slurp your soup - just realize that dining etiquette can only take you so far. Maintaining a good sense of humor about life's little mishaps is always of greater importance than knowing exactly which fork to use. (It's the one farthest from the plate, by the way.)

Comments

[Joaquin Ochoa]

I like that movie with Julia Roberts is an art prof back in the day and they have the girls learning table manners and how to be good wives..why this thought came to me I have no idea...but screw table manners...eat with thy hands I say.