Business Etiquette Advice Needed

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

In the near future, a customer of the company that I work for is going to be taking my wife and I to a sporting event. The customer has mentioned that, because the tickets are theirs, they have to be present which is completely understandable. At one point, the customer stated in an E-Mail that we might be able to go out for dinner and drinks before the sporting event, which would have to be on their tab, since everything has to be paid for by their company. But that's the only time they mentioned that.

I don't believe there is going to be enough time to sit down for dinner and drinks before the event, and while I'm not holding my breath, if the customer offers to buy my wife and I some hot dogs or a burger and beer or pop at the event, do my wife and I graciously accept or politely decline and hold ourselves responsible for finding our own dinner on the way home? And if my wife and I happen to want a T-Shirt or something from the team's store or merchandise area, do we allow the customer to buy it for us or do we purchase it ourselves? Or, even further, would the customer even still be expected to cover any food at the event if we're not sitting down for dinner?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[rajagra]

Tough call. I'd probably say I feel bad not paying for anything so would they "let" you pay for snacks and merchandise.
I can never read these situations right though. I normally end up being too slow putting my hand in my pocket.

 

[PFP_Dad]

This can be a tough call. We typically take our customers out (kind of the reverse of this situation) and I wouldn't blink paying for their tickets and any concessions but might look at it differently if they started adding on merchandise, etc. Some customers simply refuse to allow you to pay for them and I've always taken the approach that I'm not going to fight them for it.

In answer to your question, I'd likely just get up and say I'm going to grab a couple hot dogs and ask if they want anything. If they are under company obligations to pay for all of your items this gives them the opportunity to pipe up and prevents them from feeling like they missed their obligations. If I wanted merchandise I would just walk up and pay for it without giving them the chance. If they say anything just say it isn't a big deal and you appreciate what they've done already.

 

[Mick]

If it is a "business" get together (i.e. you discuss business with the other party) then I would treat everything as business and let them cover the expenses.

If it is more of a "pleasure/personal" get together then you should "offer" to purchase any food/beverages at the game or just get it yourself without bring the subject up. You can offer to pay for dinner (sit down before the game). If they refuse, offer to leave the tip, again if they refuse, you will need to be gracious and allow them to cover what they wish to cover.

In either event any personal items (shirts, memorabilia, etc) you get at the game for yourself, you should pay for regardless of whether it is a business event or not. But again if they insist, you will need to allow them to do as they intend.

Since you are the guest, you will need to be gracious and allow them to be the host, regardless of how you feel

 

[wimbouman]

Since you are the guest, you will need to be gracious and allow them to be the host, regardless of how you feel

That would be my idea also.

 

[DonN]

for a prospective client my answer might be different but since this is an existing client, I assume , I think the responses from PFP and Turtle are great !!!

 

[barrycv]

I'd also make sure that this is all OK w/ your company. I worked at a place where there were all kinds of rules/restrictions about what we could/could not accept from customers/vendors.

If we went to a game like this, we were required to pay for the ticket (face value). But things like meals, they had some dollar restriction on it.

 

[Austin]

I have been in a similar situations in the past. One of my clients invited my wife and I to an event and dinner. I know if I tried to pick up the tab to any of this he would not allow it. I bought cigars for my client and flowers for his wife as gifts. They were well received.

 

[Toothpick]

I would think that food and drinks would be on the hosts dime. But adding merchindise would be overreaching.

 

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

Thank You to all of your for your advice. This is some great advice. I received an E-Mail from the customer today informing me that they will be arriving right at about the time the event starts, but can cover food and drinks for my guest and I. Now, if I may, here's another quick one. I don't usually drink alcohol at sporting events because of the typically-high prices, but I enjoy a beer just as much as the next guy. Under any circumstances, is it acceptable for my beverage to be a beer or should I play it safe by simply and graciously accepting the purchase of a drink and keeping it just at the pop/soda level?

 

[Toothpick]

What ever your host drinks is what i'd go for. If he orders a beer then by all means get one too. If he orders a soda then i'd say stick with soda.

 

[PFP_Dad]

What ever your host drinks is what i'd go for. If he orders a beer then by all means get one too. If he orders a soda then i'd say stick with soda.

Winning answer, though I'll add a caveat. If you don't know when to stop, then don't start. I've seen far to many people make fools of themselves in front of clients. That being said, as a member here, I'm sure you'll behave as a gentleman.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Are you sitting in the stands, or do they have a box? In the stands, just get a couple beers and don't worry about it. If you're in a box, they'll have liquor aplenty laid out for you, and it's going to be billed to them whether its consumed or not.

 

[Galhatz]

Usually the legal issues rise when a company tries to shower personal gifts on representatives of potential clients (especially if the client company is public), not the other way around. On the other hand, if both companies are public, the legal department might have a say of exchanging such personal gifts.
Run it by your company legal just to make sure it won't come back to bite you in the future, and get it in writing.

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Hmmm...that's a real tough one (I'll have to take my

off to think about this).

I believe that having read many comments here, there could be 'many' gray areas in regard to business ethics to be addressed such as (but not all encompassing);

1. What would be the dollar value for the sporting event, dinner & drinks ect..?

2. How many times are invitations received / accepted per year?

Q. Does your employer have a posted 'Code of Ethics' policy to guide you?

Having almost spent my entire career in the employ of our Government (24yrs - Green Suit [Army] & 10yrs Blue Suit [federal employee]), we 'rules' concerning these business - social interactions with are covered under regulations concerning ethics (personal conduct & business interactions).

Since my Service years are years behind me, I shall not indulge on matters which is not 'germane' to this Thread, but as a past Government employee;

1. "Generally, a Government employee may not accept, in his or her personal capacity, invitations from outside sources for free attendance at events, such as conferences, unless certain requirements are met".

Read More: http://www.oge.gov/Topics/Gifts-and-Payments/Invitations-from-Outside-Sources/


However, not being basis and having not worked in the industry (i.e., civilian food service/culinary arts field), in a very long, long passage of time and been 'socialized' in the Service & Government 'way of things' and I know this may sound 'cold, stiff-necked and too formal', I think I would personally would tend to behave as such as I have been trained...'it's
good business'.

"Good business begins with good ethics". CBJ

 

[bakerbarber]

Have fun.

Be yourself.

Enjoy the game.

 

[bmathe02]

In the near future, a customer of the company that I work for is going to be taking my wife and I to a sporting event. The customer has mentioned that, because the tickets are theirs, they have to be present which is completely understandable. At one point, the customer stated in an E-Mail that we might be able to go out for dinner and drinks before the sporting event, which would have to be on their tab, since everything has to be paid for by their company. But that's the only time they mentioned that.

I don't believe there is going to be enough time to sit down for dinner and drinks before the event, and while I'm not holding my breath, if the customer offers to buy my wife and I some hot dogs or a burger and beer or pop at the event, do my wife and I graciously accept or politely decline and hold ourselves responsible for finding our own dinner on the way home? And if my wife and I happen to want a T-Shirt or something from the team's store or merchandise area, do we allow the customer to buy it for us or do we purchase it ourselves? Or, even further, would the customer even still be expected to cover any food at the event if we're not sitting down for dinner?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

The Internet is a small world. I just read this thread over at style forum. I have nothing useful to add other than when some one treats I make sure to pick up the drinks tab.

 

[Larry C in Texas]

I'd say you can let them treat you to the tickets and food at the park. T-shirts should be on your dime. If they offer a hooker and an 8-ball, you probably want to decline.

But, that's just me.