When meeting someone for a business lunch, it is important to be on time and prepared for the meeting. There is work involved before the meeting takes place; to find out what my lunch companion prefers to eat and if they have any dietary restrictions. I want to choose a place to eat where they will be comfortable and feel relaxed.
I need to show up prepared with what I want to present to them, and have all my information organized so it will be easy and enjoyable to hear what I have to say while they eat their delicious meal.
I need to be prepared to pick up the tab if I am the one who initiated the meeting with them.
If I am in the mood for a cocktail, I will order a non-alcoholic beverage if my companion is drinking tea or juice. I will let them place their order first, and if they don’t know what they want, yet, I will order something inoffensive, like lemonade. It’s possible my companion may have had a traumatic experience with lemons in their past and I just don’t know it, so the best choice may be to just order water. It may be a very boring lunch.
I will do my best to be at my best, and show up well-rested and well-groomed. It may be best not to wear strong perfume, as my companion may be allergic to it. I should also make sure that I don’t have cat hair on my clothing (I have three cats at home) so that doesn’t cause an allergic reaction, either. I should refrain from smoking cigars or joints after lunch, unless my companion offers me one.
I will listen patiently and feign interest if my companion runs off at the mouth, tells long, boring stories, or answers a million cell phone calls during our meeting. I will smile and be gracious and polite. I will do my best not to stare off into space, drum my fingers on the tabletop, play with the silverware or pick my nose at the table. If I have to burp, I will do it quietly, and say, “Pardon me!”
I need to be engaging and charming, without overdoing it and being obnoxious, irritating, or pushy. I need to make small talk in a casual and natural manner, and ask my companion lots of questions to keep them engaged, without getting too personal. Unless my companion makes a pass at me first, I will refrain from making a pass at them. I will look at their wedding ring finger and if there is a ring on it I will refrain from going to a hotel room with them after the business meeting, unless they specify that they are in an ‘open relationship’ and this information can be verified by their spouse.
I will make a follow-up call after the business meeting to check in and let them know that I really enjoyed our meeting, and hope that we can do lots of business together in the future.
