"When a Conference Table Becomes a Dinner Table"
In this modern update on Cinderella, a prostitute and a wealthy businessman fall hard for one another, forming an unlikely pair. While on a business trip in L.A., Edward (Richard Gere), who makes a living buying and breaking up companies, picks up a hooker, Vivian (Julia Roberts), on a lark. After Edward hires Vivian to stay with him for the weekend, the two get closer, only to discover there are significant hurdles to overcome as they try to bridge the gap between their very different worlds.
Scenario:
Barney (Hector Elizondo) is the hotel manager who decides to help Vivian prepare for a big business dinner at an elegant restaurant.
Selected Scene:
VIVIAN: Barney.
BARNEY: It didn't fit.
VIVIAN: Oh no no no, I got a little problem.
BARNEY: Alright Miss Vivian, one more time, dinner napkin.
VIVIAN: Dinner napkin lay gently in the lap.
BARNEY: Good. Elbows off the table, don't slouch, shrimp fork, salad fork, dinner fork.
VIVIAN: I definitely have the salad fork, the rest of the silverware is a little confusing.
BARNEY: If you get nervous, just count the tines, four tines dinner fork, sometimes there are three tines for the salad fork.
Business Tip:
I've been to well over a 100 formal dinners and often see businessmen and woman fumble their way around the table, using the wrong fork, bread plate or wine glass. There are certain foods you should order and not, when at a fancy dinner. Why risk splashing red sauce on your white shirt or blouse? Don’t order an entree you would normally eat with your hands, such as ribs, burgers or barbecue. In fact, when attending business dinners try to eat something before you sit at the table. This will help prevent you from unknowingly scarfing down your food, I've seen a top executive inhale a 16oz ribeye steak like it was their last meal, believe me, not pretty and certainly not a positive impression. If there happens to be a dinner pre reception, go ahead and try the appetizers but stay away from garlic or onion for obvious reasons. It’s okay to ask the server about the ingredients of any thing you are about to sample. Try your best not to eat in front of others at receptions unless they're eating with you. Again, a business dinner is a business meeting without the food, with the added pressure to observe individual table etiquette. Similar to a traditional meeting, be prepared, review the menu beforehand, look up any items you may not know, read reviews to get recommendations or to find out what the restaurant’s most popular dish or better yet, what not to order. One last thing, it’s not a bad idea to invest in a tide stick stain remover and keep it handy!
