Thank you for joining us at this year's Etiquette Dinner.

Have you ever wondered what to do when your place setting has four forks, two spoons, three glasses and two knives? Or are you more nervous about proper behavior in situation with high-level managers and company executives?

Thanks to Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), BC students were able to get their questions answered.

A recap for those who were unable to join us:

-Bread is on the left, drinks are on the right of your place setting. How to remember this?
Link your index finger and thumb into loops as if making an "okay" signal but keep the rest of your fingers in line with one another. Does the left look like the letter "b?" Does the right look like the letter "d?" Well, "b," as you may have guessed, stands for bread and "d" stands for drink. Now you'll never drink from the wrong glass. We can't, however, say the same for your neighboring diner.

-Work from the outside in. A very formal place setting may be overwhelming with nearly 10 utensils. Simply work your way from the outer utensils to the inner ones. If the first dish requires a spoon, use the spoon that is furthest out but use common sense. A teaspoon is not a soup spoon. If you are ever in doubt, take your cue from the host.

-Choosing a seat can determine the rest of the night. Carefully choose a seat according to your goals. Sitting with your peers at the far end of the table may cost you the opportunity to network with higher level executives and managers. However, sandwiching yourself between the executives makes for awkward conversation where you may be an obstacle to conversation between the executives.

-Talk, but let others talk, too. This speaks for itself, right?

And a tip from your AMA Newsletter editors:
Your left hand is your personal hand, your right hand is "public use."
If you are sneezing, coughing, scratching, eating with your hands; use your left hand, leaving your right hand free for others to shake comfortably.

Thanks for coming/Join us next year!

[see previous post for PHOTOS]
On a cool Thursday night, 37 students attended the annual Networking Dinner held by the AHANA Management Academy (AMA). The networking dinner gave students the chance to casually chat with company recruiters they will soon be courting.

Students had the opportunity to question, impress and learn from 16 professionals of different positions, histories and backgrounds. Several professionals were BC alums with interesting stories to tell of their own BC experience and early job hunting.

Nicole Guelcher from TJ Maxx recalls her own indecision and first experience working for TJ Maxx as a buyer. "I didn’t know what I wanted to do or who I wanted to work for, but I decided to give TJ Maxx a try and I ended up really liking the company."

Over the length of the three-course meal, professionals indulged students in tales of bad and good experiences, handing them valuable information for the near future.

"I spoke with Tina Nguyen from PwC who gave me some good advice: Work with a positive attitude. If you are humble and willing to learn then you're a better employee and a better colleague," said freshman Mark Wan.

With all the great tips, new connections and delicious food, students left with greater optimism and motivation. Freshmen got a taste of the near future and sophomores and juniors expanded their network in preparation for their internship search and interviews.

Organizers Zahratu Bah and Amanda Chan at the end of the night were congratulated on a successful networking dinner with high hopes from both students and professionals for the next.

The AMA would like to thank the representatives and recruiters from the following companies: Abercrombie & Fitch, Boston Private Bank, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, General Electric, John Hancock, KPMG, Liberty Mutual, Northwestern Mutual, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and TJ Maxx.

Networking Dinner Photos!

Some pictures from the networking dinner:

Left to Right: Talal Rojas, AMA Co-President, greets Jason O'Connell from Boston Private Bank.

Left to Right: Associate Newsletter Editor Zahratu Bah and Secretary Amanda Chan, the organizers, take a quick break from greeting professionals and students.

Above: Students speak to several professionals at their table while waiting for dinner to begin.

Left to Right: Freshmen David Lam and Mark Wan flash a friendly smile before greeting some newly arrived professionals.

Left to Right: Zahratu Bah and AMA Mentoring Program Chair Bo Wen finish off the night with coffee, tea and chocolate cake.