At a business meal your guests might be pleased if you’ve chosen dishes from your own country. You can make a good impression if the alcohol used for making a toast is also from your country. You should arrive at the venue before your guests to welcome them. You should greet them by saying “We’ve been looking forward to seeing you. Thank you for coming in spite of your busy schedule.” When taking an elevator, press the button yourself. When the elevator arrives, allow your guests to enter first. Even in an elevator there is a set order for where people should be positioned. The left of the back (furthest from the door) is considered to be the place of honor, while the host takes a humble position standing in front of the control panel. When getting off an elevator, your guests should be first to alight. After you get off you ought to say, “This way please” to show the way. The seating order in a restaurant is basically the same as in a meeting room. It’s a good idea to remember the rule: the best seat is the furthest from the entrance. At the start of the meal, you should greet your guests saying, “Thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule today.” It’s better not to talk business straight away. You should start with light enjoyable topics such as small talk, the weather, or hobbies. You must not ask intrusive personal questions. Don’t get raucous or drink too much. Bear in mind that even though you might be relaxed, your behavior should be appropriate to the situation. Sometimes gifts are prepared for when it’s time to leave. When handing them over you should say, “This might be a burden, but please take it home with you.” When they depart, you should see them to the exit.