This is one of the most common mistakes I see at business lunches. And it is also one of the first signs of lack of manners.

Here are the big 5 mistakes I see all too often:

The butter sandwich (where a roll is sliced horizontally, one side is slathered with butter, and the top is replaced and eaten like a sandwich). Bread is broken, never cut, and buttered and eaten one piece at a time.

Mishandling Utensils. Amercian or Continental style, learn how to handle a knife and fork, for heaven’s sake.

Use of the Phone/BlackBerry. It is very poor form to take phone calls or engage the BlackBerry while at the table. Put these gizmos in the “off” position until the meal is finished. Just because the boss checks her PDA doesn’t give you permission to check yours.

Slurping, smacking and licking fingers. Ugh! Don’t order ANYTHING that you would eat with your hands (sandwich, hamburger, fries, etc.). Avoid all messy dishes (spaghetti, ribs, whole lobster), and stick to a simple piece of chicken, steak, fish or a salad. DO NOT pick at the food on your plate with your fingers.

Grooming at the table. Excuse yourself and visit the ladies’ room when you want to add lipstick, freshen make-up, do anything with your hair, or check for spinach between teeth. When you leave the table, the napkin goes on the chair, not the table (the napken is gently folded and placed on the left side of the plate – or where the plate used to be – when the meal is finished).

I look for food that is small and easy to eat, not too chewy, drippy, etc. Chicken breasts, say. Fish filets. Small shapes of pasta.

Never forget you are working. Same goes for cocktail parties.

I’ve never heard of a napkin going on a chair seat, because, ick, people’s bottoms go there, and god knows when it was last cleaned. If your napkin is all over ketchup you’ve already lost the game, but anyhow, when you leave the table, fold it loosely into itself and put it beside your plate. At the end of the meal, it goes on top of whatever plate is still in front of you, although at a good restaurant there won’t be a plate or bowl left there at this point.

And also, don’t salt your food before you taste it. Now I’m a heavy salter, always have been, but salting before tasting can give off the impression that you make decision without knowing all the facts, like how salty the dish already is.