COMMUNICATION IN SOCIAL SETTINGSBusiness Conversation Study Sheets

Business Conversation Keep up to date on current

news reports Try to stay interested in

what they are talking about

Ask questions to let them know you were paying attention

Be prepared to talk about something that has recently happened

Make sure your body language sends the right signals

Differences

Everyone can participate in the conversation

Normally generates from a small conversation starter such as: Weather Sports

Certain group of people can participate in the conversation

Only people that have knowledge of the topic

Small Talk Medium Talk

Differences

Very “specific” information

Deals with certain people that have knowledge of “specific” things

Speak when you are asked a question

When you don’t know what the conversation or topic is about

Large Talk When Not to Talk

None Verbal Gestures A- Always smile

Sign of acceptance T- Touch with a handshake

Shows a sign of confidence E- Eye contact

Tend to be trusted more A- A question shows interest

Makes you seem interested S- Show you are listening by nodding E- Show everyone that you are interesting if you act

interested

Gain Control Be friendly and open Be interested Be open and aware of new ideas Accept people the way they are Take risks Say “hello” first

Topics to Avoid Marriage or Divorce issues Personal life Rumors Religion Politics Health problems

Silence In China, sometimes silence is better

than words Sometimes its better to listen than to

talk Ask questions to let the person know

that you were paying attention

COMMUNICATION IN SOCIAL SETTINGSDining etiquette and table manners

In a restaurant… napkins When you are seated in a restaurant remove

it from the place setting, unfold it, and put it in lap

It stays on the lap until the end of the meal If you excuse yourself from the table,

loosely fold the napkin and place it to the left or right of your plate

At the end of the meal, leave your napkin semi-folded at the left side of the place setting

Silverware and Dinnerware Use the

silverware farthest from your plate first

One rule when eating in a restaurant: eat to your left, drink to your right

General Etiquette Rules Arrive at least 10 minutes early Pass food from the left to the right Always say please when asking for

something and be sure to thank your server after they have removed something

If you are asked to pass the salt or pepper, pass them both even if that person wants only one of them

General Etiquette Rules Food is served from the left Butter, spreads, or dips should be

transferred from the serving dish to your plate before spreading or eating

Do try a little of everything on your plate Keep your elbows off the table Turn off your cell phone or switch it to

silent or vibrate mode before sitting down to eat, and leave it in your pocket or purse

Things to do at a Restaurant

Sit up straight Don’t speak with your mouth full of food Keep bites small Eat at a leisurely pace Don’t wave utensils in the air Keep elbows off the table Complement the cook

Things not to do in a Restaurant

Bow down over the plate as you eat Blow on food to cool it Crunch the crackers in the soup Leave your spoon in the coffee Drink with food in your mouth Push your chair back after the meal Stack your dishes Dunk

Fork Foods Cake Clams Fish Fruit Large chicken

pieces Oysters Pastry Pizza

COMMUNICATION IN SOCIAL SETTINGSTipping Tips

Two Kinds of Tips

Should be given for table reservations

An employee who you asked special treatment from

Can be given before or after rendered service

Acknowledgement given to someone who provided a service to you

Provided good service, was friendly, or treated you well

Should be given after rendered service

“Power” Tip “Thank you” Tip

Tipping: When, Where, How much? At Restaurants

Waiter/Waitress for good service should be tipped 15-20%

Bartender should not be tipped less than $.50 Coat Checker should be tipped $.50 per

coat/item, or $1.00 for two-three items Parking Valets should be tipped around $1.00 Strolling Musicians should also be tipped $1.00

per request, and a few extra for a larger band

Tipping: Where, When, How much? At Hotels

Bellman should be tipped at around$.50-$1.00 per bag

Chambermaid’s tip should be around $5.00 if you are staying for three to five days

Room service is 15% of the bill Doorman should be tipped $1.00 for hailing

a taxi, not necessary to tip if they only held door open

Taxi should be tipped 15% of the fare

Commonly made Tipping Faux Pas The excuse of not having small bills for not

leaving a tip Leaving loose change instead of paper bills

as tips Not tipping someone just because you most

likely will never see them again Using a calculator at table to determine

amount of tip Not knowing that minimum-wage

employees count on tips as a major part of earnings