Etiquette Boss: Seating savvy

BUSINESS DINING ETIQUETTE:

Business Lunches or Dinners – Proper Placement

When business associates are invited to a lunch or dinner at your home, the host and hostess sit at the head seats of the table. Usually, the host is at the head seat that faces the door. This is considered the protective position, as he is positioned to see whoever enters the room.

The female guest of the highest rank is seated to his right, and the one next is rank to his left. The hostess is usually seated at the end of the table nearest to the kitchen, as it is closest to the meals to be served, and the platter is usually brought to her first for approval, before being served.

The male guest who is highest in rank sits to her right, and the one second in rank to her left. Unless it is a formal dinner in which strict protocol is being observed, the other guests should be mixed, and not seated in order of importance, as this arrangement leaves the people at the end of the table being obviously the least in importance.

At a business lunch, where there is no spouse, guests are more likely to be seated in order of importance. The host is often seated at the middle of the table and the most important guest directly opposite him/her. If the host chooses the head of the table, the guest of honor is seated to the right, and the second in importance, to his/her left.

BEAUTY TIPS: Neck Massage

Your neck will show better results if you exercise plus massage the neck. You can exercise the neck in the morning and massage at night or vice versa.

Place your head in between the palms of both hands. Gently move your head from one side to another; no pressure must be placed on the head as you gently move it from one side to the other for a minute or two.

For the massage, get comfortable as you rest your head on the back of your chair. Place a little olive oil on the four fingers of each hand (leave out the thumb) and place it on the neck for lubrication. Move four fingers of each hand from neck to chin in a slow gentle glide from collar bone to chin simultaneously. Do this massage for five or six minutes. No pressure must be applied.

Phillipa Morrish is the president of Etiquette Training International.