Thirty-three percent of all buisness tranactions, hiring, and/or promotions are made over a dinner/lunch engagement. You have to maintain a professional image at these types of engagements even though it is outside the work environment, per say. Even though you are not in a business setting, a professional etiquette should be maintained. This covers such things as keeping the alcoholic beverages to a minimum, having proper table side manners, and verbally speaking business. Even though the meal partners might be fall off track as far as professionalism, it would be beneficial to keep your actions business professional.
There are various kinds of business events that are outside the work environment. These events can be a holiday christmas party, a business conference, or a business function. The holiday chrismtas party is an environment where a lot of professionals tend to hurt themselves professionally as they forget they are around coworkers. Even though it is a party and meant for fun and entertainment, some people often let the alcohol get the best of them and show their executives a side that should not be seen at a work function.
When you go to a business conference, this is where you have to keep a professional attitude at all times. Even though you are completely away from your work environment, you are representing your company and want to keep a professional manner at the conference, at dinner, and basically any setting where you are with other professionals. This is an environment where employess let their guard down and can embarass themselves and their company they are representing.
Even though you are not fully at a work environment, there are occassions and settings where you will need the business mindset, even if others are not. You have the potential to hurt yourself your professionally when you aren't at a work setting.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/modern-etiquette-how-to-keep-up-your-professional-image-at-dinner/quickiearticleshow/7257526.cms
