CEP Social & Business Etiquette 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct protocol when two people reach a door simultaneously in a professional context?
- The higher-ranking person always enters first
- The person closest to the door holds it and allows the other through (Correct answer)
- The younger person always defers
- Both people wait for the other to go first indefinitely
Correct 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.
Question 2: Which statement best describes the 'silent service code' at formal dinners?
- Guests speak softly to servers to avoid disturbing others
- Utensil placement signals to servers whether a guest is finished (Correct answer)
- Only the host may summon servers during the meal
- Guests must not make eye contact with servers
Correct 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.
Question 3: When is it appropriate to check your phone during a face-to-face business meeting?
- Whenever a notification arrives
- Only if the meeting runs longer than one hour
- Only with prior notice of an urgent expected message (Correct answer)
- Anytime as long as you do it discreetly
Correct 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.
Question 4: What is the most professionally appropriate way to decline an invitation to a colleague's after-work social event?
- Ignore the invitation entirely
- Decline without any explanation to maintain privacy
- Offer a brief, gracious decline with thanks for the invitation (Correct answer)
- Accept and then cancel the day before
Correct 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.
Question 5: In U.S. professional settings, physical contact during greetings is generally limited to:
- Hugs for close colleagues
- A firm handshake (Correct answer)
- A kiss on both cheeks
- A bow of the head
Correct answer: A firm handshake
The handshake is the standard professional greeting in the U.S., appropriate in nearly all business contexts.
Question 6: You receive a gift at a professional event that you do not like. The appropriate response is to:
- Politely express dislike so the giver can make future improvements
- Regift it immediately to someone else in the room
- Accept it graciously and thank the giver sincerely (Correct answer)
- Set it aside without comment to avoid dishonesty
Correct answer: Accept it graciously and thank the giver sincerely
Accepting gifts graciously with genuine thanks honors the giver's gesture regardless of personal preference.
Question 7: Which of the following best defines 'table d'hôte' etiquette at a formal business lunch?
- Ordering only items the host has pre-selected from a fixed menu
- Each guest orders whatever they wish regardless of price
- The guest of honor orders first to set the tone
- Guests must order the same number of courses as the host (Correct answer)
Correct 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.
CEP Social & Business Etiquette 5
What is the correct protocol when two people reach a door simultaneously in a professional context?