Mastering the Business Lunch

One summer I participated in a program where I interacted with a lot of private attorneys. This resulted in a lot of business lunches, which was fun, but there were also some cringe-inducing moments. I remember one lunch where a coworker’s main focus seemed to be figuring out how many glasses of wine he could drink. This wasn’t a lunch among friends or even same-level staff, but rather with clients and supervisors! Needless to say his behavior ended up being super awkward.

Now that it’s summer (though it’s constantly raining here in Chicago), there are more opportunities to step outside the office for networking lunches, and of course, if you live the gilded Big Law life you’re busy wooing Summer Associates (at least that’s what I always jealously assume private practice is like…). So you may be thinking, what could be so complicated about a basic lunch?! It’s not that it’s complicated, but there are just a few things to remember so that you don’t commit some larger professional faux pas. Figuring out what to order; whether to drink or not; how formal to be, etc. are all important things to consider. They are important to consider because at the end of the day, this is still a work event and it’s a way to show bosses and higher-ups that you 1) have good judgement; 2) are professional; and 3) are someone who is a good face for their business. So yeah, lunch is no biggie, but at the same time it kind of is. More than anything remember that in most professions, but especially in the law, we’re always expected to look polished and like we belong.

So all that to say—three small things to keep in mind for your next business lunch:

One. Take your cue from your boss. Some people will take advantage of a free meal and order the most expensive thing, or desserts, or wine, etc. Don’t do that unless your boss is encouraging you to order those things. This isn’t a free-for-all. Try to order items from the same price range and stick to whatever beverage the Boss is having. This is just a considerate thing to do when you’re invited out to lunch, and also remember that not all lunches are being covered by the business. It may be coming out of your direct supervisor’s pocket so don’t be a jerk about it.

Two. Limit your alcohol. I know attorneys can drink almost anyone under the table—it’s like some weird superpower, but try to avoid alcohol until you really understand the atmosphere of where you work. And even then, limit it to one so that you stay clearheaded and alert.
Three. Be attentive. To really stress the point—remember that this is a work event. Even if it’s fun and even if you really, really like your boss. At the end of the day, that supervisor has power over you and you want to showcase your professional self as much as possible. Be engaging in conversation, stay away from hot-topic issues or questionable subjects. Similarly, this is another form of networking, so interact with others and really make it a point to build a connection with those around you.