Every time I attend a business lunch meeting, opportunities abound to observe some of the bad meal etiquette habits we have. People pick their teeth, use their napkin as a kleenex and gobble with their mouth open. Yuck.
Like it or not, people do judge us by what they see — particularly on first impressions. A business deal can be made (or missed) because of a first impression.
Is it right? Nope. But it happens anyway.
My question for you is — Would you do business with a person who had horrendous manners at the table? Why or why not? Please leave me a comment with your thoughts below.
About Denise O'Berry
My answer is pretty simple. I do judge people by ny first impression. If they are sloppy at a business lunch, how do they handle their business relaionships? Their record keeping? Their follow-through? First impressions are everything and they begin with good manners.
Bad manners would probably not stop me from doing business with someone, but I would much rather see good manners. Frankly, even OK manners.
Most likely, I would do business with a person with bad manners. After all this is about business, it’s not personal. When you add personalities into the mix, it just gives you an extra burden you don’t need and running a business is hard enough these days!
But that being said, I definitely would not be inviting this person to my next party either.
Jo-Carole
@Lizz Most people do. And they form impressions just like you stated.
@Michelle Thanks. Sounds like they might be a distraction for you.
@Jo-Carole Sure it’s about business, but if it made you uncomfortable it could be an issue.
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I used to think that most people, myself included, would base their business decisions purely on objective business-based details. The more experience I get, the more I don’t believe this.
Perception is reality, which is what I hear when I you say “Like it or not, people do judge us by what they see…”.
I just wrote a post about this here: http://powerlunchdvd.com/blog/2009/02/06/dont-get-drunk-just-a-fun-business-lunch-reminder/
There’s a recent survey done by Pamela Fay that reinforces your position that lunch manners matter: “‘Our most recent survey reveals that 98pc of respondents believe table manners are important in Irish business,’ she explains. ‘Another survey, conducted in 2007 by Berry Bros & Rudd in the UK, revealed that some 15pc of people would actually pull out of a business deal if they had a bad business lunch experience.’”
Someone who’s going to green-light your project has to feel comfortable handing you a check. Especially today, they don’t want to do that lightly – there’s not a lot of money going around these days. So, everything you do will impact their decision to go with you; even if they’re not conscious of it.
If I was evaluating someone for work and they had horrendous manners, I would not hire them. It would tell me that this person doesn’t understand the value of relationships and hasn’t educated himself/herself on how to interact in business. It would show bad judgment and I wouldn’t hire someone with bad judgment.