In many cultures, business is done at a desk. In the English-speaking world, the real relationships are often built over a meal. But there is a secret rule: If you only talk about work, you’re doing it wrong. This week, at The London Eye – English Consultant, we’ll show you how to navigate the table and find topics that have nothing to do with your «to-do» list, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
1. The Meal-Time Vibe Check
The language changes depending on the time of day.
- The Breakfast/Brunch: Casual and high-energy.
- «Are you a morning person, or do you need three coffees before you can function?»
- «I’m a big fan of a hearty breakfast to start the day.»
- The Lunch: Often a «quick bite» or «refueling.»
- «I’ve heard great things about the specials here.»
- «It’s nice to get some fresh air and get away from the screen for a bit.»
- The Dinner: Slower, more relaxed, and focused on storytelling.
- «This atmosphere is lovely, isn’t it?»
- «I’m definitely saving room for dessert!»
2. The «No-Work» Zone: How to Break the Ice
When you’re with colleagues, the temptation to talk about the «big project» is strong. To avoid this, use the F.R.D. Method (Family/Friends, Recreation, Dreams).
Try these «Work-Free» Openers:
- Recreation: «I’m looking for a new series to binge-watch. Have you seen anything good lately?»
- Recreation: «Do you have any weekend plans? I’m hoping to head to the coast if the weather holds up.»
- Dreams/Travel: «If you could hop on a plane right now, where would you go?»
- Local Flavor: «I’m still exploring the city—do you have a favorite hidden gem for coffee or tapas?»
3. Food Etiquette & Useful Phrases
You don’t want to spend the whole meal looking at the menu in silence. Use these functional phrases to keep the flow:
- Asking for Recommendations: «What do you recommend?» or «What are you leaning towards?»
- Sharing (Common in casual lunches/dinners): «Do you want to split the appetizers?» or «Would you like a taste of this?»
- Complimenting the Food: «This is delicious,» or «They’ve really nailed the seasoning on this.»
- The «Dietary» Mention: «I’m actually vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free—is there a good option for me?»
4. Table Idioms (That you can use in the office later!)
English is full of food-related idioms. You’ll hear these even when there isn’t a fork in sight:
- To have a lot on your plate: To be very busy. («I’d love to help, but I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.»)
- To chew the fat: To have a long, casual chat. («It was great to just chew the fat with the team over lunch.»)
- Take it with a grain of salt: To not take something too seriously. («He’s always exaggerating, so take what he says with a grain of salt.»)
- Bread and butter: Someone’s main source of income. («Web design is my bread and butter, but I do photography on the side.»)
5. Wrapping Up: The «Check» and the «Thank You»
The end of the meal can be awkward. Here is how to handle it gracefully:
- The Bill: «Shall we split the bill?» or «It’s on me this time!» (If you want to pay).
- The Exit: «This was a lovely change of pace. We should do this more often!»
- The Follow-up: «Thanks again for the lunch! It was great to catch up.»
Your Action Step this week: Imagine you are at lunch with a colleague you don’t know very well. Write one question you would ask them to «break the ice» that has nothing to do with work!
Example: «I love your watch! Are you a bit of a collector, or was it a gift?»
The London Eye - English Consultant 