I overheard a discussion in a restaurant. 
I think it was meant to be overheard – the “guest” (I think) was insisting on paying the bill for lunch while the “host” (I think) was protesting.
“You’ve done me a favor by answering my questions.” The “guest” insisted. “I’ll pick up the tab.”
“But I invited you to lunch!” insisted the host. (Who was probably aware that it’s customary for the host to pay, but wasn’t clear on how to go about it in face of opposition. So he wanted to be on record with anyone who would listen that he was t least trying to do the right thing.)
The whole conversation put an awkward ending on what could have been a pleasant meal. Everyone (including the server) was embarrassed and unclear about how to proceed.
There’s a real simple way of preventing this problem that a friend from Europe taught me.
I wish that I head learned it years ago, but here it is now -
When you invite a client to lunch, it is best to:
- Use a restaurant you’re familiar with – that way you know what to expect in terms of food, service and price, and the servers know you and are familiar with your habits and preferences. (For example – we like to linger over dinner and conversation with friends or guests and don’t like to be bothered too much.)
- Call or visit the restaurant ahead of time and leave instructions for handling the bill when you make the reservation. (You can leave your credit card number, and ask them to add the customary 20% tip to the total.) That way the bill never arrives at the table, you never have an awkward conversation interrupting the business you’re discussing, and if your guest asks the server about the bill, he or she will be informed “it’s been taken care of.”
This seems like such a small thing, but it communicates a lot to a potential client.  It says that you think ahead, that you take care of details, that you care about your clients and that you want their experience to be smooth and free of snags and surprises.
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Good shout, great piece of advice something I may not have otherwise considered.
Cheers, Bob
That is an exellent good idea and it keeps everybody in a good mood.
Do you have more of this tipps?
Good tips for having a successful business lunch meeting, I’m sure most people don’t even consider doing this.
-Jack
Thanks Jack! I hadn’t thought of it until my friend suggested it. Sometimes it’s the really simple things we wouldn’t have thought of. . .
Thanks Gypsy-
We crank them out as fast as we can, if you run across any etiquette tips send them our way.
Warm regards from chilly Utah!
The rule of thumps guys is never taking a client out to any restaurant that you are not familiar with. It is good idea to take a client to place where everybody knows your name, so to speak. You need to gain influence with your client and you want them to see you in a familiar ground where you command respect. And by the way, always take the check; you invited him/her, so do yourself a favor, pay because being cheap will gain you no influence with your client.
Great post, thanks for sharing this information. Sometimes the little things make all the difference and success is in the detail!
What’s the story behind your username? ,
Thanks for the tip. sounds like you could use it for a date too, other than for business luncheons =p
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Good advice, wouldn’t be aware if you have not mentioned.
Yes nice tip!, defenately makes you come across as a professional and a bit of a smooth operator – haha ye totally agree that this can sometimes be awkward – great tip though – can’t think of anything better to do in that situation.
I love tipps like yours. Easy but very effective. Thank you for posting.
Simple as good – hope to read more good tips from you, Paula
Thanks a bunchI really liked reading this. It makes me want to start my own blog! Just what topic though? I am a dentist by profession but cannot imagine many people wishing to read about dentistry? Maybe I am wrong! Restaurant in Ilfracombe
Damn, very nice website. I actually came across this on Yahoo, and I am really happy I did. I will definately be coming back here more often. Wish I could add to the conversation and bring a bit more to the table, but am just taking in as much info as I can at the moment.
Thank You
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Hey, awesome website. I actually came across this on Ask Jeeves, and I am stoked I did. I will definately be revisiting here more often. Wish I could add to the conversation and bring a bit more to the table, but am just absorbing as much info as I can at the moment.
Thank You
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I think your article is worth a read. Pretty good works!