How does a business lunch work?

In movies and tv shows we always see just a small part of a business lunch or dinner Usually, we see the characters arriving in a fancy restaurant, telling immediately what they have to say (which is always something super important) and then the scene changes. Or there is just a small section of a few minutes when they are already eating and then the scene moves on to a different location.

How does this work in real life? Accounting for the time to sit, get the menu, order, receive food, get the bill and pay, the whole meal would last minimum 40 minutes. Do people just say what they have to say and then continue the meal like nothing happened talking about random stuff, or they do a lot of small talk and then at some point they get to the reason why they are there? Or do they dedicate the whole lunch to the business topic?

I am just a sophomore so don't be hard, I am just genuinely curious and I have always wondered how it works lol.

 

In the realm of business luncheons, the delicate dance of dialogue deftly drifts between delectable dishes and discerning discussions. Commencing with courteous chitchat, participants pluck pertinent points from a plethora of topics, pairing professional particulars with palatable pleasures. The repast, a rendezvous of rapport, unfolds with a rhythmic resonance, revealing relevant revelations and reinforcing relationships. The menu mirrors the meeting's multifaceted mood, with morsels of management melding seamlessly with moments of mirth. As the luncheon lingers, the conversation crescendos, culminating in a conclusion that combines culinary contentment with crucial corporate considerations. If further flavorful facets fascinate, feel free to foster further inquiry!

 

Obviously depends on the relationship between each other. Is the person you are meeting a board member of a potential PE portfolio company? An M&A banker which you know for years? Or just a random VDR sales guy? But still, its probably ~60-70% small talk.

 

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