National etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, founder of The Protocol School of Texas (and parent of an SU alum), offers these essentials:

Networking Basics

• Wear your nametag on the right side so it’s visible during a handshake.

• Stand up for all introductions.

• Smile, make eye contact, and extend your hand first.

• Introduce yourself using your first and last name.

• If you didn’t catch a name, ask politely for clarification.

• End conversations with a handshake and a polite closing (“It was nice meeting you—I look forward to staying in touch”).

Meeting & Greeting at Lunch

• Always stand to greet someone approaching the table.

• Don’t interrupt if someone is already in serious conversation.

• Offer a handshake and make introductions for each guest.

• Wait for your guest in the lobby, not the bar.

Dining Etiquette Essentials

• Utensils: Use them from the outside in.

• Bread & drink: Bread plate is left, drink is right.

• Napkin: Wait for the host to place theirs first, then follow. Place it on your chair if you leave the table temporarily.

• Food choices: Avoid messy meals like spaghetti—opt for easier pastas (rigatoni, penne). Cut one piece of meat at a time.

• Table manners:

  • Pass salt and pepper together, counterclockwise.

  • Spoon soup away from your body; rest the spoon on the saucer between sips.

  • Break, butter, and eat bread one piece at a time.

• Professional touches:

  • Decline alcohol during interviews.

  • Follow the host’s lead for coffee and dessert.

  • Conclude with a handwritten thank-you note within 24 hours.

Pro tip: Practice these habits before you need them. That way, they’ll feel natural when it counts.