Thanks to all who commented on the 10 rules of Friday lunch. We hope these hold you in good stead and help with the Friday sacrament of breaking bread.
1. Quality of company: a free lunch is great but sitting opposite someone boring can be as awkward as a new episode of ‘Hey Hey its Saturday’. Be careful WHO and WHAT you say yes to.
2. There is no such thing as a free lunch: If it’s not a "thank you for a booking", its a "butter you up" so tread carefully... many good campaigns have been lost to slick haired Jedi mind tricking reps who have the ability to let guilt get in the way of your better judgement.
3. Never ask for a lunch: Never! Unless it’s at the pub with a rep that you have had a minimum 1 years experience with and have at least three inside jokes. If you think it’s acceptable, trust us when we say... Your rep hates you!
4. Back to the office: We don’t care if there were stripper’s pouring you Cristal while you played midget throwing. The second you step back in the office you silently walk to your desk and say nothing. No matter how fantastic it was, never admit it. Lunches are either “awful” or “yeah it was ok”. It will only make the office martyr angry and draw attention to the fact that you’re absolutely legless.
5. Talking Shop: Weekday breakfasts are suitable for talking business. Friday lunches are sacred and left for banter only, which is why we stress the importance of rule number 1.
6. Follow up email: Thank them!
7. Envy: If you’re one of the lucky few members of your team to be invited, do not be surprised when you hear that everyone was bitching about you while you were away... it's expected.
8. Grape Etiquette: Let the host order the wine...as good as drinking Grange all afternoon is, Reps still need to justify expenses.
9. No Paper: No documents shalt be handled at the table.
10. Courtesy: Never order the most expensive thing on the menu... Order the second most expensive!