American businessmen frequently use social situations to make business deals. Business lunch is one of the best examples of this practice. 美国商人经常利用社交场合做生意。商业午餐就是这种做法的最好例子之一。
If you' re the host you should make some preparations. Before inviting someone to a business lunch, you want to make sure scheduling one is even necessary. 如果你是主人，你应该做一些准备。在邀请某人参加商业午餐之前，你应该确保先与人确认时间安排。
A good invitation should include the following three criteria: · Clearly state the purpose of the meeting. · Establish your role as host. · Make it easy for the person to graciously decline. 一个好的邀请应该包括以下三个原则： ·明确说明会议目的。 ·确立你的主人角色。 ·让对方轻松婉言谢绝。
Make sure it is a good place for a business lunch. It should be quiet and conducive to private discussions. 确保这是一个商业午餐的好地方 它应该是安静的，有利于私人讨论。
Evaluate the food and service. Look into what sort of food and service the restaurant specializes in. Check out the menu and make some selections beforehand so you won't appear indecisive. 评估食物和服务 调查一下这家餐馆的特色菜和服务。 看看菜单，事先做些选择，这样你就不会显得优柔寡断了。
Make sure to be careful and anticipate your guests' preferences. If you don't know their tastes, it is wise to offer up some suggestions and let them pick. 一定要注意，准备好客人的喜好。 如果你不知道他们的口味，最好提出一些建议，让他们挑选。
Make a reservation · Let them know it's a business lunch. · Place you in the appropriate area. · Tell them what kind of food you might like. · How long you might stay. 订餐 ·让他们知道这是商业午餐 ·安排在适当的位置 ·告诉他们你喜欢什么样的食物 ·你可以呆多久
Prepare some small talks · To warm up the atmosphere and avoid awkward silences. · Having a few casual, non-business topics in mind, the subject can be travel, sports, gardening, or the movies. 准备一些小谈话 ·来温暖气氛，避免尴尬的沉默 ·有一些主题可以是休闲的，或是非商务的，可以是旅游、运动、园艺、电影等的主题
Know your client's business · Just take 20 minutes or so to do a search before you leave for lunch. 了解客户的业务 ·在你去吃午饭之前，花20分钟左右时间搜索一下客户相关的信息。
Prepare Enough Money to Pay · Always bring a credit card to pay for the meal, or, if you are paying in cash, bring twice the amount of cash that you expect the lunch to cost. 准备足够的钱支付 ·一定要带信用卡来付饭钱，或者，如果你是用现金支付的话，带两倍于你预计午餐费用的现金。
Table manners-actions ·Arrive early——10 minutes before the time ·Turn off your cell phone ·pay the bill naturally 餐桌礼仪 ·早到——比时间早10分钟 ·关掉你的手机 ·自然地付账
Topics--Segue into business at the right time ·Don' t launch into your proposal as soon as you sit down. ·Never talk business until at least everyone has ordered 主题--在正确的时间进入商业话题 ·不要一坐下就开始发表你的提议。 ·至少在每个人都点好菜之前不要谈生意
