If you could have dinner with any one of your choice, whom would it be? What would the topics of conversation be about? What restaurant would you choose? How would you dress? What are some of the habits, behaviors you would expect a good dining partner to have? These questions, known as a bucket list or wish list, if you go for that type of thing are always common at parties. It is fun to think about, but the one question which affects all of us on a daily basis, “What do you look for in a good dining partner?” It is not so much that you have a written check list, but when you have that wonderful dining experience or just the opposite, it hits you! This topic arose last week when I was at a luncheon. Here are some of the answers and requests that came forth.
- Have a reservation in place.
- Be on time or at least 5-7 minutes early.
- Walk in the restaurant with grace and confidence like a lady or gentlemen vs. “Here comes drama!!”.
- Turn your cell phone off or on vibrate.
- Don’t check your emails or texts over our conversation!
- Complaining about your food while others are eating is just not cool.
- Chew with your mouth closed.
- Order adult drinks, not smoothie that required a straw.
- Know how to order your food without the stories of why?
- Come with conversation starters/topics beside business.
- Share in the conversation; like a tennis match.
- Know current events.
- Be prepared for the bill, don’t act shocked as though you never seen one before.
I am sure there are more pointers that gets peoples’ goat, as they say. It is just food for thought. After all, you want to be prepared for when that bucket list person comes a calling! Enjoy your next meal with grace, poise, humor and class.