Lawi S. Njeremani
Vanessa Luff grew up in the Holland Marsh and is an Alumni of the University of Guelph where she studied Hotel and Food Administration (HAFA), graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce.
Ms. Luff has worked in various departments within the hospitality industry from the kitchen through to Food and beverage in Jasper, Alberta. She has also worked at the Front Desk in London, England with the Hilton Hotel chain. Ms. Luff has spent over 20 years in management in both restaurants and private golf courses and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field with a particular love and passion for professional etiquette.
Are service personal trained to offer discreet cutlery use?
Service staff are trained as to how to set a table for each course and thus how the guests will be using them. They would never instruct a guest during the meal. Best rule of thumb is to look to your host or other guests at the table. If you are attending a formal event, you can reach out to the venue and request the menu details so you can be prepared ahead of time.
Can etiquette be turned on and off?
During any type of event you always need to adhere to proper etiquette. Be it a business/professional event, a social event with family/friends/significant other. In the privacy of your home, go ahead and tuck you napkin in you shirt, eat you food with fingers etc. Remember that in any public space people are always watching.
Is a lavatory/restroom considered a workspace?
No it is not a workspace. However, there is restroom etiquette that one must follow. For example: flush, leave the restroom clean (discard paper towel), don’t peek under/over stalls, no excess knocking if you are waiting. If signs are post please follow what they say. Don’t use your phone to conduct business while using the restroom.
Eye Contact and shaking hands in other cultures?
Not all cultures invite eye contact, especially upon greeting. The article Business Etiquette: The Rules of Communication Around the World provides a good reference.
Can I say no to my boss?
The quick answer is yes. The key to this situation is ensuring your response is diplomatic, polite, and worded in a manner that softens your refusal. Instead of simply saying “no,” perhaps try “I would rather…” or “I’m afraid I won’t be able to, however…”
When asked out for lunch or dinner, do I have to offer to pay?
Typically, whoever extends the invitation should be responsible for paying for the meal. If you would like to chip in, don’t hesitate to do so. But, because you are technically the person’s guest, you should not be expected to pick up the check.
What is the meaning of good grooming?
According to ASK.COM, good grooming means practicing good hygiene techniques. Good grooming includes showering and having neat hair and clean, trimmed fingernails. Good grooming also includes having brushed teeth and clean clothes.
Is it a good idea to add my boss or coworkers to my social networking sites?
This topic is tricky because of the prevalence of social media in our work and home lives. The best thing to do if your colleague sends you a “friend request” is to think carefully about how you will be perceived at work based on your social media activity. If keeping your personal life completely separate from your professional one is important to you, you may want to refrain from accepting your colleague as a “friend.” Remember, your profile and how you behave online is a reflection of you; social media mistakes can sometimes cost you your career.
Should I date someone I work with?
Your employer probably has a policy on this, but the general consensus is that this is a bad idea. Workplace romance can influence business decisions and be detrimental to productivity. Not to mention you don’t want to end up sitting next to your ex all day every day.
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Read: The “on & off” switch for etiquette
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