Imagine never having to worry about which fork to use during a formal dining event again.

After attending the Student Alumni Leadership Council’s Etiquette Dinner on Sunday, about 50 students can now distinguish forks and decipher other dinner formalities.

“Politeness, courtesy and etiquette make up the language of politeness,” said Charlie Dobbs, assistant to the president.

He said it is important for students to know what to do in a formal dining setting. When making a first impression, it is favorable for students to know how to respond to an invitation, how to introduce themselves, how to start a conversation and what entree to order.

“My job at Iowa State started with dinner,” Dobbs said.

Angela Guggisberg, junior in construction engineering, said she believes etiquette is an important asset to have.

“[You] never know when you’ll be in a situation when you’ll need to use those skills,” she said.

Dobbs said when employers aren’t focused on bad manners, they can see all of the good qualities and characteristics that a job seeker has to offer.

“If you don’t have good etiquette, it reflects on you,” said Nicholas Clausen, Student Alumni Leadership Council committee member who worked on the etiquette dinner.

Husband and wife Dave and Joyce Durlam, owners and operators of Durlam & Durlam Men’s and Women’s Clothing, 226 Main St., spoke about proper business attire.

“Attire is a natural extension of etiquette,” Joyce Durlam said.

Appropriate clothing, in any situation, will give a job seeker self-confidence and also give the interviewer confidence in the job seeker, Joyce Durlam said.

“Wearing a suit made me feel bigger,” said John Day, freshman in engineering.

Dave Durlam gave Etiquette Dinner attendees helpful tips for how to dress appropriately for any situation. “Traditional clothing is appropriate everywhere,” he said.

Dave Durlam said looking at the dress of the people holding the jobs you want will help you know what is appropriate.

However, clothing isn’t the only impression that matters, Joyce Durlam said.

“The most important thing you can wear is a smile,” she said.