At the monthly informal BBQ at the local distribution centre of a large multi-national company where everyone is on a first-name basis, the weather is poor so everyone is sitting in the lunch room after getting their food. At one point three managers and an out-of-town corporate VIP enter the room and there is nowhere for them to sit. According to protocol, what should happen:
1. individuals should offer their seats?
2. a supervisor should offer his seat and those of the people in his department?
3. the late-comers are out-of-luck and should find another room?
4. a table should have been reserved for the managers and their guest?
5. something else?
2007-09-15 04:10:47 · 6 answers · asked by canucklehead1951 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I want to change the question somewhat, because I think looking at this in terms of etiquette is missing the point.
The important thing is, anyone who had fixed or helped fix this situation would have given themselves a career boost.
Really, the only one who NEEDS to sit is the VIP. So only one seat is needed.
Of course, the gratitude of the managers, who'd also like to sit would be a good thing.
The managers look lame if they can't think of any way to deal with the situation, or if they themselves aren't willing to stand.
Any of the managers who had, say, found the VIP a place to site and eat; or who had brought means of sittage into the room would have stood out.
Heck "Is anyone through eating so our guest can sit down?" said to the room would have been appropriate.
Any employees who offered their seat would have looked really good, both to corporate, and, by helping the 3 managers, to them.
Anyone, in short, who'd shown themselves able to think quickly and as being commited to solving the problem would have stood out.
3. Bothers me a lot. No, no one should have offered other people's seats. You can offer your own seat. It's up to others to decide whether to offer their seats.
Asking someone to help you find some chairs somewhere would have been OK, but not "Frank, give up your seat."
Sounds like the morale of that workplace in general is as bad as the weather that day.
Places I've worked, there would have been more people offering their seats than were needed. (More out of curtesy than ambition; but where the first is absent, the second should have made up for it.)
2007-09-15 06:00:33 · answer #1 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that a table should be reserved for the managers and their guests. That seems like the most polite and convenient thing to do.
A person could offer their seat, but then the late comers might be frowned upon for inconveniencing someone else.
So, if there aren't sits reserved, I think that they should try and find some place else to sit even if its in another room.
or they should be on time, even if it's an informal gathering, because of the position that they hold, they're around people who work with them and are watching everything they do and are most likely, keeping mental notes.
2007-09-15 11:32:51 · answer #2 · answered by cameranhand 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be very inspired and impressed with the classy gesture of a manager giving up his seat for those people in his/her department. Yes, they have a hard job too. Yes, they are paid more for it. But, when they sacrifice a little thing like a "chair" and they can leave a positive inspiration to all who witness!
An officer or VIP will notice that and remember the gesture for life. When that VIP needs help or wants the advice of a "responsible" person, who will he respect and admire?
When it is a casual event, all titles and salaries take a back seat. This is a social event and a very informal social event at that.
A BBQ with classy people? Sure! The classy one is the high-paid guy that gave up his seat to a poor, line worker who is struggling to make ends meet. Now, that line worker has a fresh perspective on the company and management. He/she feels like an equal, not a subordinate.
2007-09-15 11:27:42 · answer #3 · answered by joe_on_drums 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any polite person would offer their seat at the table, no matter what their status. And if these folks have any manners, they'll refuse the seat. I think the VIPs should not sit at a table reserved for them. They should mingle and hear what their employees have to say...chat with them, etc.
2007-09-15 12:05:55 · answer #4 · answered by red 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. individuals.
It is all a matter of common courtesy. The out of town VIP should be welcomed and given a seat by anyone!
2007-09-15 11:26:39 · answer #5 · answered by Ricky 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of the above.
2007-09-15 11:17:18 · answer #6 · answered by steinbeck11 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋