Social & Business Etiquette Flashcards

What is the correct protocol when two people reach a door simultaneously in a professional context?

Answer: The person closest to the door holds it and allows the other through

Whoever is closest to the door holds it; in modern professional etiquette, courtesy outweighs strict rank at doorways.

Which statement best describes the 'silent service code' at formal dinners?

Answer: Utensil placement signals to servers whether a guest is finished

Utensil placement—resting versus parallel on the plate—communicates to servers whether a guest is still eating or finished.

When is it appropriate to check your phone during a face-to-face business meeting?

Answer: Only with prior notice of an urgent expected message

Checking your phone is only acceptable if you've informed attendees in advance that you're expecting an urgent message.

What is the most professionally appropriate way to decline an invitation to a colleague's after-work social event?

Answer: Offer a brief, gracious decline with thanks for the invitation

A gracious, timely decline with a word of thanks respects the inviter's planning efforts and preserves the relationship.

In U.S. professional settings, physical contact during greetings is generally limited to:

Answer: A firm handshake

The handshake is the standard professional greeting in the U.S., appropriate in nearly all business contexts.

You receive a gift at a professional event that you do not like. The appropriate response is to:

Answer: Accept it graciously and thank the giver sincerely

Accepting gifts graciously with genuine thanks honors the giver's gesture regardless of personal preference.

Which of the following best defines 'table d'hôte' etiquette at a formal business lunch?

Answer: Guests must order the same number of courses as the host

Matching the host's number of courses prevents awkwardness and ensures the pace of the meal remains comfortable for all.