Useful Tips for Good Manners at Meetings and Social Events
聚會以及社交活動良好禮節的有用小貼士
Appropriate business etiquette is expected of everyone, especially at corporate events. However, few are trained in the art of good manners. That means most people learn meeting etiquette and how to conduct themselves at business events “on the job.”
每個人都希望自己有合適的商務禮節，尤其是在公司社交活動上。然而，很少有人受過良好的禮節訓練。這就意味着很多人去學習會議的禮節，以便自己在公司的商務活動上處於主動地位。
Of course, not everyone is completely at ease with knowing whether they are conveying proper business etiquette to corporate hosts, colleagues and other guests.
當然，不是每個人都很清楚自己在與公司老闆，同事以及其他客戶社交時所用的社交禮節是否恰當。
Keep in mind, the purpose of etiquette is to create an environment that allows everyone to feel comfortable. The following Q&A provides some business etiquette tips for meeting environments.
記住，禮節的目的是爲了創造一個大家都感覺舒服的交流環境。以下的問答展示了商務聚會中應該遵守的禮節。
1. When should you respond to an RSVP?
你什麼時候該回復“敬請賜復”的請帖
Event invitations will provide most of the important information of an event, including details about the host, type of event, purpose (even as much as a brief agenda), location, time, specific instructions, and – of course – the RSVP.
邀請函會提供一次活動的大部分資訊，包括主辦方，活動類型，活動目的（甚至是簡要議程），地點，時間，簡要說明等，當然也會有邀請資訊。
Events today rely on a variety of RSVP options, including email, phone, mail in cards, and more. It is important for guests to respond quickly when they receive an invitation, and it’s best to respond within a week. If you must decline at the last minute, please notify the host prior to the event or first thing the next day with sincere regrets.
現在的活動的回覆途徑也是多樣化的，有電郵，電話，卡片等更多方式。當客戶收到邀請函的時候，迅速的做出回覆是一種禮貌，通常來說最好是在一個星期內給予答覆。如果你最後還是要拒絕邀請，記得在活動前通知主辦人，並且事後第二天馬上至上誠摯的歉意。
2. What should you wear to an event?
你應該穿什麼區參加一次公司社交聚會？
Hosts and guests err on the side of conservative sensibility: dress well and in good taste (everything should always be pressed). That said, most event invitations will provide direction:
賓主選擇保守的服裝總不會出錯，穿着要得體，有品味（所有的衣服都要燙過）。也就是說，大多數的邀請函會給你提供穿着指南：
（1）Business attire(suits and dresses)
商務裝（西裝和連衣裙）
（2）Black tie/black tie optional (more formal evening wear)
黑色領結（可選）（用於更正式的晚裝）
（3） Business casual (trousers/khakis with long sleeve shirts)
商務休閒裝（長褲/長袖卡布其衫）
（4） Jackets and ties required (as instructed)
夾克和領帶是必備的
Some events and venues may advise other casual wear, such as golf, tennis, horse racing, resorts, etc. Organizers will be specific about attire requirements.
有些活動或會議場所也許會要求更休閒的着裝，如高爾夫球場，網球場，賽馬場，度假村等。舉辦着對服裝的要求都特別明確。
3. When should you arrive for an event?
你該何時到場？
The event host spends significant time and resources to plan and execute an event, so most people know the answer to this question: be on time! If you are a representative of the host, the answer is that you should arrive up to 30 minutes early (you will be given a time, show up when requested).
活動主辦人花了很多時間在計劃和準備一次活動上，所以大多數人都很清楚這個問題的答案，那就是要準時到場。如果你是舉辦方的代表之一，那麼你應該提前30分鐘到場（有要求的時候，會讓你出場的）。
If you are a guest, understand that the organizer has been selective with the invitation list. Many invitations will include a brief agenda that highlights when guests may arrive for the event, typically providing a window of 15 to 30 minutes for registration and welcome reception times.
如果你是客人，要明白舉辦人對邀請名單是經過精心篩選的。很多邀請函都包括了簡要的議程，上面都會將客人到場的時間着重標示出，一般都會特別提供了15到30分鐘的註冊登記和接待時間。
Also, it’s important to stay as long as possible or to the conclusion of an event.
多呆一段時間或者等到宴會結束才走也是很重要的一種禮節。
4. When should you extend a handshake at an event?
在社交聚會上你什麼時候該和別人握手？
Always upon arrival and departure. This is an easy rule that few people violate. Greet everyone with a firm, sincere handshake, a friendly smile and direct eye contact. However, when approaching a group of individuals, it’s important to note that guests should always shake the hand of the host first.
總是在到達和離開的時候握手。這是一個很少有人會違背的簡單規則。問候每個人的時候，都堅定，真誠的和他們握手，友善的向對方微笑，直視對方的眼睛。然而，要記住的是，當你和一大羣人打招呼的時候，第一個和主人握手是一種重要的禮節。
Of course, there are scenarios when handshake greetings aren’t possible, such as when both hands are full. In those situations, either party may nod and use some sort of other body gesture to convey the greeting.
當然了，也有不適合握手的時候，比如兩個手裏都拿滿了東西。在這種情況下，兩個人可以點頭示意，或用其他身體語言問候對方。
5. How should you introduce people in a group at an event?
如何在商務社交聚會上介紹別人？
Most people will find themselves at some point introducing various individuals at an event, especially when they are the ones who will be expected to know all parties. But what’s the order of introductions? Simply remember to rules:
很多人都會在商務社交活動上向不同的人介紹別人，尤其是那些需要認識所有人的人。但是介紹的順序是怎麼樣的呢？謹記以下規則：
（1）. Introduce lower ranking individuals to higher ranking individuals.
將級別低的人向級別高的人引薦。
（2）mber to include titles (e.g., Dr., Judge, etc.) and name prefix (e.g., Mr., Mrs. Ms.).
介紹的時候記得加上頭銜（如，博士，法官等）以及稱呼語（如，先生，太太，夫人）
6. What should you talk about at the event?
在聚會上你應該談些什麼？
It’s important to have strong listening (don’t interrupt) and conversation skills in group situations. This means maintaining open body language (stand up or sit up straight, don’t cross arms, and maintain good eye contact) and showing interest in what others have to say.
在集體活動中，善於傾聽（不打斷別人說話）以及交流的技巧是很重要的。這就是說要保持開放式的身體語言（站直，坐直，不要雙手交叉抱胸，保持眼神交流），並且對別人說的`話表示很感興趣。
Contribute to conversations by being able to speak to a variety of subjects, find topics of mutual interest and avoid correcting what others have to say. Make sure to involve everyone in the group in the discussion (and not just one or two). Encourage people to talk about themselves, and be graceful when providing and/or accepting compliments.
在交談中，對交流有利的是要善於找到各種各樣交談的主題，要找到大家都感興趣的話題，並且不要更正別人說的事情。確保讓小組的每個人都參與了交談（而不是一個、兩個）。鼓勵別人談自己的事情，讚美別人或接受別人讚美的時候表現要優雅。
It’s unfortunate to add the following, but necessary for some: avoid the use of foul language and slang in conversations.
雖然加上以下內容讓人不舒服，但是對於有些人來說也是必須說明的：要避免在談話中使用俚語以及粗暴的語言。
7. What shouldn't you talk about at the event?
在聚會中什麼不該談？
Just as it’s important to understand what to talk about, there are several topics that should generally be avoided:
正如懂得什麼該談一樣，有一些話題在通常情況下是應該避免的：
（1）Personal finance topics
個人財政狀況的話題
（2）Personal health topics (yours and others)
個人健康方面的話題
（3）Divisive topics
有爭議的話題
（4）Gossip
八卦
8. When should you defer extra courties (deference) to others at an event?
在聚會上你該如何推延活動以示對別人的尊重？
It may sound old fashioned, but it’s very important to let people know that you hold them in high esteem. And the act will usually not go unnoticed by the recipient. Several examples (but certainly not an all inclusive list) of when deference is important at an event:
聽起來像是老調重彈，但是你有必要讓別人知道你十分尊重他們，但是你還要不着痕跡的變現出這種尊重。以下幾例顯示了聚會上什麼時候適當的表現尊重是十分重要的（當然沒有包括全部的情況）：
（1）Follow the lead of others (e.g., host) to know when/where to sit.
效仿他人，看他們什麼時候坐在哪裏。
（2）Hold doors for others.
爲別人開門。
（3）Don’t assume empty seats are available.
不要以爲空座位都是可以坐的。
（4）Allow others to take the better seat.
讓別人選好的位置。
（5）Wait to speak until others acknowledge you.
等到別人注意到你後纔開始說話。
（6）Wait for the host before taking a first drink.
在主人沒動杯之前不要喝酒。
（7）Wait to eat until after everyone is served and the host has begun.
等到主人以及大家都開動後再開始用餐。
9. What other business etiquette rules should be kept in mind?
還有那些商務禮儀是你應該記住的？
（1）Never drink more than two alcoholic drinks.
喝酒不超過兩杯。
（2）Allow the event host to make the first toast.
讓主人第一個敬酒。
（3）Notify hosts of any dietary restrictions prior to an event.
在聚會前瞭解主人的飲食禁忌。
（4）Understand how to use flatware(eat outside in).
知道如何使用餐具。
（5）Glassware is placed to the right.
玻璃餐具擺放正確。
（6）Bread plates will be placed to the left.
麪包盤應該放在左邊。
（7）Place the fork and knife in the 4:00 position when finished.
吃完後將刀叉放在4點鐘方向。
（8）Place napkins on the chair seat or arm when briefly stepping away.
起身離開座位時，將餐巾放在椅子上或扶手上。
（9）Research the event topic and venue before arriving.
在倒之前調查清楚聚會地點以及聚會內容。
（10）Thank the host in person prior to leaving.
在離開前親自向主人道謝。
（11）Send a “thank you” note to the host within a week.
聚會後一星期之內向主人發一封感謝信。