What do I order at a company dinner?

louxnoelle

I have a somewhat-celebratory work dinner tonight, and the company is picking up the tab. We're not going anywhere fancy; it's just a nice gesture to acknowledge that we've been kicking ass lately. I checked out the menu, and there are two entrees that strike my fancy: one is $13, and the other is $22. We'll also be (reasonably) drinking.

My question is, how much money are you supposed to spend at one of these dinners? I know some people take it as a license to kill and run up a crazy tab, but we're a small company, not a huge corporation. Obviously, $22 isn't going to break the bank (and it's the entree I'd choose if I was paying for myself), but add on cocktails, probably group appetizers or whatever - something about it is making me feel awkward.

I know it's silly, but any advice?

sarawifenow

I usually try to find out what my boss is ordering when we have company dinners. Something as simple as "hey [name] what are you getting?" That way you can go from there. Usually my boss orders steak, so I do too because I love steak!

luckya23

As long as the $22 isn't the absolute most expensive thing on the menu, go for it!

thisismynickname2

To be honest, if it were me, I'd go with the $13. You may want to see others order first and take your cue from them. Everyone's different, but frankly, businesses have budgets. It bothers me to see people take advantage and order expensive stuff, because that money can otherwise be used towards more important things than steak-versus-pasta. Like, if everyone was reasonable, there'd be more money in the pot for... a new computer. Or, if there is a preset entertainment account for the year already, people might hit the budget by fall and have nothing left in Q4 if everyone took advantage early in the year. 

You may also find when you get there that the company already created their own limited menu. Where I work, that's very common. Employees get a special menu with three choices of entree. 

novella1186

If your company didn't want you to order a $22 entree, they would have worked with the restaurant ahead of time to make a special menu just for your event, and only offered entrees under a certain price (we did this all the time at one of the restaurants I worked for) 

thespeshulestsnowflake

sarawifenow said:

I usually try to find out what my boss is ordering when we have company dinners. Something as simple as "hey [name] what are you getting?" That way you can go from there. Usually my boss orders steak, so I do too because I love steak!

This. Ask those around you too. It gets you a feel for what the average is. And its a good conversation point.

Also,think about the average cost of entrees on the menu.

theartistformerlyknownas

This is not something I'd spend a moment stressing over. It's not like you're ordering 3 lobster tails and a $500 bottle of wine. Order what you actually want to eat. They want to thank you for your ass-kicking, not stress you out.

ashley8918

Are you for real? Order whatever the hell you want. Stressing over $9 is crazy town, girl.

sarahufl

Yeah, agreed- order what you want. $22 isn't that unreasonable.

littlepep

I agree with others. They wouldn't take you there if they didn't want you to order the stuff. 

louxnoelle

Thanks, guys - I have terrible social anxiety and shit like this always trips me up.

Kahlyla

lolo883 said:

This is not something I'd spend a moment stressing over. It's not like you're ordering 3 lobster tails and a $500 bottle of wine. Order what you actually want to eat. They want to thank you for your ass-kicking, not stress you out.

Agreed. Whether it's social or business, if H and/or I are hosting guests, we are happiest and most comfortable believing they're getting exactly what they want. SIL, for example, has revealed to us that as a matter of course, she always orders the cheapest thing on the menu and only orders water when other people (including us) are treating, but this only makes us feel shitty. It's NOT what we want her to do if we're treating her to dinner. And we've taken sub-contractors and freelancers who work for us out for apps/drinks and feel the same way about them.

I've also seen my BIL stress and moan over menu prices before finally settling on something he didn't really want (when paying for himself). He's always been frugal, but he could have afforded whatever - as he told us, regretfully, afterwards. Now he gets what he wants and is much happier for it.

I think it's easy to look at menu prices and see what look like these huge discrepancies and it's easy to forget that for the most part we're only actually talking about a 5 or 10 dollar difference.

thisismynickname2

Kahlyla said:

This is not something I'd spend a moment stressing over. It's not like you're ordering 3 lobster tails and a $500 bottle of wine. Order what you actually want to eat. They want to thank you for your ass-kicking, not stress you out.

Agreed. Whether it's social or business, if H and/or I are hosting guests, we are happiest and most comfortable believing they're getting exactly what they want. SIL, for example, has revealed to us that as a matter of course, she always orders the cheapest thing on the menu and only orders water when other people (including us) are treating, but this only makes us feel shitty. It's NOT what we want her to do if we're treating her to dinner. And we've taken sub-contractors and freelancers who work for us out for apps/drinks and feel the same way about them.

I've also seen my BIL stress and moan over menu prices before finally settling on something he didn't really want (when paying for himself). He's always been frugal, but he could have afforded whatever - as he told us, regretfully, afterwards. Now he gets what he wants and is much happier for it.

I think it's easy to look at menu prices and see what look like these huge discrepancies and it's easy to forget that for the most part we're only actually talking about a 5 or 10 dollar difference.


It's nice to see this perspective from someone who hosts, honestly. I feel like ordering something needlessly expensive is taking advantage of a situation. Emphasis on "needlessly." If there are a lot of entrees around $20, cool, I'll order that myself and pay for it myself. But I wouldn't go to a place where most entrees are $20 and order the $50 one just because someone else is paying. It's not like I don't enjoy the meals that are in the $20 range, so it's not a sacrifice.  Just... not taking advantage. 

sarahufl

The difference between $13 and $22 isn't really THAT much. If that is going to  break the company budget, maybe they shouldn't be hosting meals.

lyndausvi

I would order whatever dish I wanted.  If $22 is too much, then do not dangle the carrot in front of me then get annoyed I picked what I wanted.

For the record, I order $42 steaks with my own money.  $22 entrees are not expensive to me.  DH and I order ones that expensive most times we go out.

  So I don't see ordering a $22 dish as taking advantage.  If we were paying individually I would be ordering the exact same thing.

novella1186

thisismynickname said:

Kahlyla said:

This is not something I'd spend a moment stressing over. It's not like you're ordering 3 lobster tails and a $500 bottle of wine. Order what you actually want to eat. They want to thank you for your ass-kicking, not stress you out.

Agreed. Whether it's social or business, if H and/or I are hosting guests, we are happiest and most comfortable believing they're getting exactly what they want. SIL, for example, has revealed to us that as a matter of course, she always orders the cheapest thing on the menu and only orders water when other people (including us) are treating, but this only makes us feel shitty. It's NOT what we want her to do if we're treating her to dinner. And we've taken sub-contractors and freelancers who work for us out for apps/drinks and feel the same way about them.

I've also seen my BIL stress and moan over menu prices before finally settling on something he didn't really want (when paying for himself). He's always been frugal, but he could have afforded whatever - as he told us, regretfully, afterwards. Now he gets what he wants and is much happier for it.

I think it's easy to look at menu prices and see what look like these huge discrepancies and it's easy to forget that for the most part we're only actually talking about a 5 or 10 dollar difference.

It's nice to see this perspective from someone who hosts, honestly. I feel like ordering something needlessly expensive is taking advantage of a situation. Emphasis on "needlessly." If there are a lot of entrees around $20, cool, I'll order that myself and pay for it myself. But I wouldn't go to a place where most entrees are $20 and order the $50 one just because someone else is paying. It's not like I don't enjoy the meals that are in the $20 range, so it's not a sacrifice.  Just... not taking advantage. 

I remember talking about this with my law professor who used to be on a board of directors for a corporation and would be one of the people who took potential new employees out to lunch/dinner. If they ordered the cheapest thing, they never got hired, according to the professor. 

He had this whole big analysis about what he thought this said about their character and whatnot. 

He said he'd rather see that the person has the balls (for lack of a better word) and honesty (also for lack of a better word-- I can't remember how he phrased it) to order and eat what they actually wanted. 

thisismynickname2

novella1186 said:

thisismynickname said:

Kahlyla said:

This is not something I'd spend a moment stressing over. It's not like you're ordering 3 lobster tails and a $500 bottle of wine. Order what you actually want to eat. They want to thank you for your ass-kicking, not stress you out.

Agreed. Whether it's social or business, if H and/or I are hosting guests, we are happiest and most comfortable believing they're getting exactly what they want. SIL, for example, has revealed to us that as a matter of course, she always orders the cheapest thing on the menu and only orders water when other people (including us) are treating, but this only makes us feel shitty. It's NOT what we want her to do if we're treating her to dinner. And we've taken sub-contractors and freelancers who work for us out for apps/drinks and feel the same way about them.

I've also seen my BIL stress and moan over menu prices before finally settling on something he didn't really want (when paying for himself). He's always been frugal, but he could have afforded whatever - as he told us, regretfully, afterwards. Now he gets what he wants and is much happier for it.

I think it's easy to look at menu prices and see what look like these huge discrepancies and it's easy to forget that for the most part we're only actually talking about a 5 or 10 dollar difference.

It's nice to see this perspective from someone who hosts, honestly. I feel like ordering something needlessly expensive is taking advantage of a situation. Emphasis on "needlessly." If there are a lot of entrees around $20, cool, I'll order that myself and pay for it myself. But I wouldn't go to a place where most entrees are $20 and order the $50 one just because someone else is paying. It's not like I don't enjoy the meals that are in the $20 range, so it's not a sacrifice.  Just... not taking advantage. 

I remember talking about this with my law professor who used to be on a board of directors for a corporation and would be one of the people who took potential new employees out to lunch/dinner. If they ordered the cheapest thing, they never got hired, according to the professor. 

He had this whole big analysis about what he thought this said about their character and whatnot. 

He said he'd rather see that the person has the balls (for lack of a better word) and honesty (also for lack of a better word-- I can't remember how he phrased it) to order and eat what they actually wanted. 

Interesting!! And here I am trying to save the company's bottom line. 

VulgarGirl

I remember taking some business etiquette class...thing a long ways back. Their reccomendation was to either 1) follow the person in charge. If they're ordering a $50 plate then anything $50 and under is fine and dandy. Or if they go "Omg the salads here are so good", check out the salad selection. Or 2) take the middle of the road. Don't pick the cheapest thing and don't pick the most expensive thing either.

I usually go with option 2 when someone else is buying or if we're all splitting the bill. 

novella1186

thisismynickname said:

novella1186 said:

thisismynickname said:

Kahlyla said:

This is not something I'd spend a moment stressing over. It's not like you're ordering 3 lobster tails and a $500 bottle of wine. Order what you actually want to eat. They want to thank you for your ass-kicking, not stress you out.

Agreed. Whether it's social or business, if H and/or I are hosting guests, we are happiest and most comfortable believing they're getting exactly what they want. SIL, for example, has revealed to us that as a matter of course, she always orders the cheapest thing on the menu and only orders water when other people (including us) are treating, but this only makes us feel shitty. It's NOT what we want her to do if we're treating her to dinner. And we've taken sub-contractors and freelancers who work for us out for apps/drinks and feel the same way about them.

I've also seen my BIL stress and moan over menu prices before finally settling on something he didn't really want (when paying for himself). He's always been frugal, but he could have afforded whatever - as he told us, regretfully, afterwards. Now he gets what he wants and is much happier for it.

I think it's easy to look at menu prices and see what look like these huge discrepancies and it's easy to forget that for the most part we're only actually talking about a 5 or 10 dollar difference.

It's nice to see this perspective from someone who hosts, honestly. I feel like ordering something needlessly expensive is taking advantage of a situation. Emphasis on "needlessly." If there are a lot of entrees around $20, cool, I'll order that myself and pay for it myself. But I wouldn't go to a place where most entrees are $20 and order the $50 one just because someone else is paying. It's not like I don't enjoy the meals that are in the $20 range, so it's not a sacrifice.  Just... not taking advantage. 

I remember talking about this with my law professor who used to be on a board of directors for a corporation and would be one of the people who took potential new employees out to lunch/dinner. If they ordered the cheapest thing, they never got hired, according to the professor. 

He had this whole big analysis about what he thought this said about their character and whatnot. 

He said he'd rather see that the person has the balls (for lack of a better word) and honesty (also for lack of a better word-- I can't remember how he phrased it) to order and eat what they actually wanted. 

Interesting!! And here I am trying to save the company's bottom line. 

Kick that bottom line the fuck outa here, and then have a $18 martini!  

lyndausvi

thisismynickname said:

novella1186 said:

thisismynickname said:

Kahlyla said:

This is not something I'd spend a moment stressing over. It's not like you're ordering 3 lobster tails and a $500 bottle of wine. Order what you actually want to eat. They want to thank you for your ass-kicking, not stress you out.

Agreed. Whether it's social or business, if H and/or I are hosting guests, we are happiest and most comfortable believing they're getting exactly what they want. SIL, for example, has revealed to us that as a matter of course, she always orders the cheapest thing on the menu and only orders water when other people (including us) are treating, but this only makes us feel shitty. It's NOT what we want her to do if we're treating her to dinner. And we've taken sub-contractors and freelancers who work for us out for apps/drinks and feel the same way about them.

I've also seen my BIL stress and moan over menu prices before finally settling on something he didn't really want (when paying for himself). He's always been frugal, but he could have afforded whatever - as he told us, regretfully, afterwards. Now he gets what he wants and is much happier for it.

I think it's easy to look at menu prices and see what look like these huge discrepancies and it's easy to forget that for the most part we're only actually talking about a 5 or 10 dollar difference.

It's nice to see this perspective from someone who hosts, honestly. I feel like ordering something needlessly expensive is taking advantage of a situation. Emphasis on "needlessly." If there are a lot of entrees around $20, cool, I'll order that myself and pay for it myself. But I wouldn't go to a place where most entrees are $20 and order the $50 one just because someone else is paying. It's not like I don't enjoy the meals that are in the $20 range, so it's not a sacrifice.  Just... not taking advantage. 

I remember talking about this with my law professor who used to be on a board of directors for a corporation and would be one of the people who took potential new employees out to lunch/dinner. If they ordered the cheapest thing, they never got hired, according to the professor. 

He had this whole big analysis about what he thought this said about their character and whatnot. 

He said he'd rather see that the person has the balls (for lack of a better word) and honesty (also for lack of a better word-- I can't remember how he phrased it) to order and eat what they actually wanted. 

Interesting!! And here I am trying to save the company's bottom line. 

your heart is in the right place, but if your company's bottom line is going to be effected by a $9 difference in meals then they have bigger problems.

I'm sure they picked this place knowing people will pick meals in all different price ranges.   Sure there will be the person who picks the most expensive meal.  But on the flip side someone will pick the least expensive simply because that is what they want.   Sometimes I pick an app for dinner not for the price but that is simply what I want or I didn't want a big meal.  It all averages out.

I would not overthink this.

princessleia22

Order what you want.  Like others said, I'm sure they took pricing into account when they chose that restaurant. If you are that worried, asking others or waiting until others order can help gauge where they stand. And if it's a dinner to show appreciation, I'm sure they want you to order what you want.

We take our biggest clients (a group of about 8 people) out to eat a couple times a year to show our appreciation.  We usually go to some decent restaurant, around the same price range you seem to be going to. My business partner taught me that when taking people out for business (whether employees or clients), they often look to you to determine acceptable pricing... and we want them to feel free to order what they want.  So, I usually order filet minon or something on the higher end of the price list. That opens the options up for everyone else and they feel more comfortable getting what they want. But, we want to treat them to a nice dinner, not have them hold back from what they want.

climbingsingle

Definitely order whatever you want. I plan dinners like this for my company (and we're a very small company). I choose a place and show the owner the menu. There has never been a time when he's said, "Woah! A $35 entree?! Take that option out if there!" And there's never been a time where he's said "So-and-so ordered the most expensive thing!" When he takes us out, he's doing it to be generous and show his appreciation. Don't give this any more thought.

kvruns

Kahlyla said:

lolo883 said:

This is not something I'd spend a moment stressing over. It's not like you're ordering 3 lobster tails and a $500 bottle of wine. Order what you actually want to eat. They want to thank you for your ass-kicking, not stress you out.

Agreed. Whether it's social or business, if H and/or I are hosting guests, we are happiest and most comfortable believing they're getting exactly what they want. SIL, for example, has revealed to us that as a matter of course, she always orders the cheapest thing on the menu and only orders water when other people (including us) are treating, but this only makes us feel shitty. It's NOT what we want her to do if we're treating her to dinner. And we've taken sub-contractors and freelancers who work for us out for apps/drinks and feel the same way about them.

I've also seen my BIL stress and moan over menu prices before finally settling on something he didn't really want (when paying for himself). He's always been frugal, but he could have afforded whatever - as he told us, regretfully, afterwards. Now he gets what he wants and is much happier for it.

I think it's easy to look at menu prices and see what look like these huge discrepancies and it's easy to forget that for the most part we're only actually talking about a 5 or 10 dollar difference.

My parents, especially mom, are guilty of ordering the cheapest thing and I picked it up from them. Probably in part bc I never feel like food is so amazing where I need the most expensive thing although if we are at a steak place I do order steak and not chicken. FI took my parents out to a really nice place a couple years ago - it was a nice steakhouse and neither ordered steak even tho they like it. I tried to encourage them that it was ok to splurge but it didn't work

hellosweetie1015

Don't stress over it. I'm the same way, and it's ruined a fair few otherwise good evenings.

Not worth it for a $9 difference.