So, let’s see how you did on the business etiquette quiz.

Here are the questions again, with the answers in bold.

1. Your boss, Ms. Brown, enters the room when you’re meeting with a client Mr. Jones. You rise and say “Ms. Brown, I’d like you to meet Mr. Jones, our U.S. client.”

Inappropriate. Speak to the most important person first.  A customer or client would be more important than your boss.

2. You place your name tag on the left shoulder.

Inappropriate. Name tags are placed on your right shoulder because, when shaking hands, the eye follows the arm up to the tag.

3. It’s acceptable to make sales pitches at networking functions.

Inappropriate. You’ll be perceived as inexperienced, needy, pushy and insensitive.

4. The male pays when he’s having a business meeting at a restaurant with a female colleague.

Inappropriate. The person who benefits from the business  association pays, regardless of gender. To avoid confusion clarify you’re hosting when extending the invitation.

5. You’re holding a drink in your right hand when introduced to a business associate. You quickly move the drink to your left hand so you can offer a firm handshake.

Inappropriate.  Make a habit of holding your drink in your left hand to avoid a "wet" handshake.

6. Answer the phone promptly, after no more than two rings, and smile.
  

Appropriate. Your tone of voice changes when you smile - try it. Answering on two rings or less makes you look efficient and the caller feel important.

7. It’s proper to give business cards to everyone at business meetings.
 

Inappropriate. Wait until you’ve established a reason to make    further contact before exchanging cards to enhance the value of the  exchange.

8. You answer the phone for a peer who’s available, and ask “who’s calling, please?”

Inappropriate. Asking, “Who’s calling?” suggests the calls are screened. To avoid insults have the person answering the phone announce you’re unavailable and then ask for the caller’s name and message.

9.  You find a pit in your olive. You remove it from your mouth with your finger and forefinger.

Appropriate. It comes out the way it went in.  If the olive was from a relish tray and went in with your fingers, it comes out    with your fingers.  If the olive was part of a salad and went in with your fork, it comes out with your fork.

10. In a restaurant, you drink thin soup served in a cup with no handles  

Inappropriate. Use the spoon provided.

How did you do? If you got all ten right you’re a pro. Keep up the good work. If you got five or less better polish up those etiquette skills. Your career may depend on it.

For further information on business etiquette visit these websites:

http://www.gradview.com/articles/careers/answers.html
http://www.careerservices.uwaterloo.ca/resources/BusinessEtiquette.pdf
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=LDD1204