Successful Entertaining in the USA
Before you read
Have you ever had to eat food with foreign business guests?
What do you know about American dinner eating culture?
The timing of business meals in the USA can often come as a surprise to first time visitors. Firstly, it is not uncommon to be invited to a breakfast meeting which might start as early as 7:00am and secondly, if invited for dinner, this may be scheduled for as early as 5:30 — 6:00pm. You can also, of course, be invited for lunch and this is probably the favoured time for business entertaining.
US business people have few qualms about discussing concrete commercial issues while eating. The idea that the mealtime is set apart from business and that it is bad manners to raise the subject of commerce over food is an alien concept in the States. Therefore, it is acceptable to view a business meal as an extension of the business meeting. (This does not mean that other, non-business issues, cannot be discussed at these events.)
North Americans tend to only use the knife to cut food items. After the food has been cut, the knife is usually laid down and only the fork is then used. Some foods may be eaten by hand, with both the knife and fork laid to rest. Most restaurant staff rely heavily on tips to supplement their basic salary and tipping is therefore virtually mandatory. It is not uncommon for tips of between 10% - 20% to be left for good service — and the service is usually very good.
Guessing meaning from context
Match the words/phrases in the left column with the closest meaning in the right column. The answers are below the table
|
come as a surprise |
A |
1 |
Doubt, worry, fear |
|
qualms |
B |
2 |
Make different, something that is saved for a later time |
|
discussing concrete commercial issues |
C |
3 |
An idea that is strange to how we think |
|
set apart |
D |
4 |
Something that you don’t expect |
|
Raise the subject |
E |
5 |
Die, no longer use, stop doing |
|
alien concept |
F |
6 |
Legally must do, a rule we are expected to follow |
|
laid to rest |
G |
7 |
Decide to talk about, introduce a topic to talk about |
|
mandatory |
H |
8 |
Talking about serious business. Very strong exact things. |
A=4, B=2, C=8, D=2, E=7, F=3, G=5, H=6
Some questions using the new words and phrases to help you understand them better.
Try to answer using the new words/phrases.
1. What cultural things have come as a surprise to you?
2. What things in another culture would you have qualms about doing? For example, you could talk about some food that you could/would not eat.
3. In your culture, when is it a bad/good time to talk about concrete commercial issues? Why?
4. In your culture what time/s are set apart for talking business? In Korean culture why don’t we talk so much while eating?
5. What subject/s can/can you not feel comfortable to raise with your boss? Why?
6. In the reading today, what concepts seemed alien to you? Why?
7. Did you know that in U.S. eating culture that you should lay your knife to rest when eating? Why do you think North Americans do that?
8. What eating manners are mandatory in your culture?
Some example sentences using today’s new words/phrases
1. It came as a surprise to me that the government would raise taxes on alcohol, but I have no qualms about paying more if it will help people be healthier.
2. Business people like to discuss concrete ideas, rather than feelings. Things like net profit is a very concrete issue, rather than a soft issue such as my feelings.
3. These days many businesses are setting apart money for research and development of new ideas.
4. It was difficult to raise the need to pay our employees more with the boss.
5. For many western people, not giving one’s opinion directly to their boss in some Asian cultures is an alien concept.
6. Tablet computers may one day lay to rest the need to have a laptop.
7. Paying tax is mandatory.
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