Etiquette Banquet 2011 – "Dining For Success" with Simi Ranajee

On Monday, April 4, 2011, over 180 students and alumni gathered to hear speaker Simi Ranajee explain the art of balancing proper dining etiquette with great networking skills. This year’s Etiquette Banquet was a mix of those of the past; it covered both networking and dining etiquette and several alumni were invited to create a more legitimate networking atmosphere. Since many interviews for internships and jobs involve some form of eating, learning how to combine mealtime manners with effective networking is vital.  

Ranajee, a speaker, consultant, and author, led attendees through a three-course meal while demonstrating the essentials of proper dining decorum. Ranajee’s presentation was peppered with the fascinating background of various etiquette practices. Did you know that it’s considered rude to keep your hands under the dinner table because it used to suggest that you could be hiding a weapon? Ranajee mixed these interesting tidbits with impressive knowledge about how to comport oneself properly at a meal. At the beginning of each course, she went over the specific techniques involved in that portion of the meal. Then the attendees would test their new etiquette knowledge while getting to know one another.

After finishing the entrée, the diners moved to a separate area for dessert and the chance to network with people from other tables. Many diners mingled well after the event was officially over, exchanged contact information, and came away from the Etiquette Banquet with exciting new connections.

See Photos from the Etiquette Banquet.

See footage from last year's Etiquette Banquet.

The Etiquette Banquet is co-sponsored by the Northwestern Alumni Association and NCA-The Student-Alumni Partnership.