Business dinner for 3 seating arrangement

phr33dom · 07-22-2009, 06:26 PM

Can anyone suggest the correct seating arrangement at a business dinner. I'm a sales engineer and my boss invited me yesterday evening to a meal at a restaurant to accompany him and our customer. The table at the restaurant was designed to seat 4 people. My boss and our customer sat behind the table so their backs were against the wall of the restaurant and they were facing inwards. I, being the least important person, was sitting at the opposite side of the table facing the wall. So far so good. The question is...should I have been sitting directly opposite my boss or directly opposite our customer? I sat opposite my boss but I don't know whether I did the right thing. Does anybody know the correct form?

jamesglewisf · 07-22-2009, 07:45 PM

I am pretty sure it does not matter who sits where.

jamesglewisf · 07-22-2009, 07:49 PM

Of course, the safe thing is to always let the other people choose their seats first, and then you take whatever you want from what is left.

leomartin6 · 03-08-2010, 01:00 AM

Hello. Nice Post. In my opinion, proximity is an essential part of the seating arrangement. See you around.

IB O IR ID O · 05-11-2010, 05:03 PM

I think you were best sitting closer to your boss than the client. That is what I've always done. Take this example: A 4-person booth - Two 2-seater long seats facing each other. If there are 4 people, w/ 2 clients, then let the clients sit side-by-side. 4 people, 1 a client, I'd let the client have the seat that allows them to exit easiest (don't trap him/her in there). If 2 of you and 1 client, then sit just as if there were two clients giving the 1 client extra room. The typical situation, though, is one business person and 2 clients (say when you're meeting about buying a house), let the businessman sit alone so that he/she can access their briefcase.

jamesglewisf · 05-11-2010, 06:09 PM

That's great advice.

07-22-2009, 06:26 PM	#1
phr33dom Smart Feller Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1	Business dinner for 3 seating arrangement Can anyone suggest the correct seating arrangement at a business dinner. I'm a sales engineer and my boss invited me yesterday evening to a meal at a restaurant to accompany him and our customer. The table at the restaurant was designed to seat 4 people. My boss and our customer sat behind the table so their backs were against the wall of the restaurant and they were facing inwards. I, being the least important person, was sitting at the opposite side of the table facing the wall. So far so good. The question is...should I have been sitting directly opposite my boss or directly opposite our customer? I sat opposite my boss but I don't know whether I did the right thing. Does anybody know the correct form?

07-22-2009, 07:45 PM	#2
jamesglewisf Doofus Maximus Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 8,138	I am pretty sure it does not matter who sits where. __________________ Jim Lewis - Admin Tipping Etiquette Dining Etiquette JamesGLewis.com iPhone Tip Guide Movies Without Nudity.com To BE or not to BE

07-22-2009, 07:49 PM	#3
jamesglewisf Doofus Maximus Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 8,138	Of course, the safe thing is to always let the other people choose their seats first, and then you take whatever you want from what is left. __________________ Jim Lewis - Admin Tipping Etiquette Dining Etiquette JamesGLewis.com iPhone Tip Guide Movies Without Nudity.com To BE or not to BE

05-11-2010, 06:09 PM	#6
jamesglewisf Doofus Maximus Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 8,138	That's great advice. __________________ Jim Lewis - Admin Tipping Etiquette Dining Etiquette JamesGLewis.com iPhone Tip Guide Movies Without Nudity.com To BE or not to BE

03-08-2010, 01:00 AM	#4
leomartin6 Smart Feller Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1	Hello. Nice Post. In my opinion, proximity is an essential part of the seating arrangement. See you around.

05-11-2010, 05:03 PM	#5
IB O IR ID O Smart Feller Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 9	I think you were best sitting closer to your boss than the client. That is what I've always done. Take this example: A 4-person booth - Two 2-seater long seats facing each other. If there are 4 people, w/ 2 clients, then let the clients sit side-by-side. 4 people, 1 a client, I'd let the client have the seat that allows them to exit easiest (don't trap him/her in there). If 2 of you and 1 client, then sit just as if there were two clients giving the 1 client extra room. The typical situation, though, is one business person and 2 clients (say when you're meeting about buying a house), let the businessman sit alone so that he/she can access their briefcase.