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M A R C H 2 0 1 4 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
Kathleen D. Pagana, PhD, RN
ASK THE ETIQUETTE DOCTOR
Help! I Don't Know Which Dinner Roll Is Mine
Good table manners make a favorable impression. Think 'BMW.'
D
EAR
KATHY: I
recently
attended a wedding and
think I ate the wrong
dinner roll. I have a din-
ner interview scheduled
for a new position. Can
you tell me what I need
to know at a business
meal?
— DINING
DISASTER
DEAR DINING DISASTER: You are smart to realize the impor-
tance of dining etiquette at an interview. You want to be relaxed and
not worried about dining blunders. Think BMW (as in the car) and
you won't make a mistake. BMW stands for bread, meal, water. See
the illustration. Bread and all food to the left of the entrée or meal
plate belong to you. This includes salad and soup. Water and all drinks
to the right of the meal plate belong to you. This includes wine glasses
and coffee cups.
DEAR KATHY: As the nurse manager of an outpatient surgery cen-
ter, I am responsible for introducing new employees to the staff. Is
there a proper way for making introductions?
— CONFUSED IN CLEVELAND
DINING WITH CLASS You'll feel more confident at business meals if you don't
commit dining etiquette blunders. For starters, remember what BMW stands for.
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