Although business lunches, dinners, and happy hours are great opportunities to network and get to know your colleagues better, the way you handle the meal can leave a lasting impression.
To help you avoid any big mistakes, Business Insider asked an etiquette expert, Mariah Grumet Humbert, about the things you should avoid ordering in front of coworkers. Here’s what she said.
Overly expensive meals
When dining at a work event, it’s best to avoid ordering the most expensive dish on the menu. This includes seasonal items, which can be more expensive out of season, or fancier meals like steak or lobster.
Grumet Humbert also said to err on the side of caution when you don’t know the price of a special or market-priced dish.
Excessive amounts of alcohol
Alcohol can be tricky to navigate in professional settings. But whether you choose to drink or not, it’s best to put your professional image first.
“When too much alcohol is consumed, you’re not able to represent yourself in the best way,” Grumet Humbert told BI. “It could lead to potential tricky conversations, perhaps showing yourself in a light that you don’t want to in a professional realm.”
Too much food
Similarly, Grumet Humbert said it’s best not to order a wide variety of items, as this will increase the bill.
That’s why she suggests following the lead of the person hosting the get-together. For example, if they’re ordering multiple courses, having more than just a salad is probably OK.
If the host is ordering one course, however, opting for multiple menu items can be impolite.
Meals that are difficult to eat
It’s also important to order something that will allow you to talk with your colleagues and doesn’t feel difficult to eat.
For example, it’s best to avoid anything that’s too messy or requires a lot of effort to enjoy.
Instead, Grumet Humbert suggests ordering something you know you’ll like that’s also relatively simple to pick up. This way, the focus can remain on the conversation.
This story was originally published on May 27, 2025, and most recently updated on August 17, 2026.
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