"If you are trying to work out a deal, is serving food a good idea to do during the negotiations?

When negotiations are taking place, it is safer to allow the process to be completed.  The individuals will concentrate better on the negotiations and come to a better deal. 

Food during this time is not a good idea as it is a disturbance and breaks the focus and concentration involved in the negotiations.  It also makes people disengaged after eating as they want to relax.

Hence it is important to avoid food at this time.

in my own opinion serving food is not a good idea during negotiations, because it will cause double meaning to the client. He/she might think that i am briving him/her over food just to close the deal, it is more better to be professional and make sure that all the clients requirements are being met.

It depends in what country are you obtaining this deal. This is why it’s said “Behave like Roman when in Rome”. In some countries like Australia, Germany, few states of US or few more countries in Europe, serving food while striking a deal would construe to an act of ‘impoliteness’ in worst case scenarios. While this won’t act as Bribery, simply because humans survive by eating and if its lunch time during striking a deal, one has to have food.

Quite interestingly serving food while striking a deal is more of a cultural habit in countries like India, Middle East, Iran, Jordan, Russia especially in St. Petersburg. So, it depends really in what country are you in.

My recommendation remains to have balance of the timing of such meeting when a deal is being discussed or negotiated and most importantly propose for Lunch or Snacks or whatever in the most professional way so that it acts more of gesture than act of any other sort.

This reminds me of some discussions when I replied to a question from CEO of US multinational that Companies investing in other countries must also learn about their culture to make deep inroads into the market. That was taken well and adopted.

Why not yet I guess that food will distract your opponenet.  I guess it depends on the situation if you are negotiating hostages !

It depends on the person we are trying to work out deal with.For some it will give an impact but not to a very big extent.But yea definitely they will feel good if we serve a really good meal.

Thanks

In my opinion Yes, it is a good idea !

especially when you reach to dead end point so you need to get out of the formal atmosphere without losing your position and your strength

I agree with Ms.Celeste 

It is kind and etiquette to provide food on an event but after the main priorities being taken care of. 

As it may distract attention partially from ongoing negotiation because biologically your taste,smell, and other parts of your brain and muscles will also be used which takes off some effort of the main discussion.

Not only food, but also doing anything unrelated to the main topic such as smoking,drinking,disturbing phone messages and etc..

Well if work in food concept business and you want to impress a possible investor then yes. Another way to look at it, is to stick to what you agreed to when you exchanged emails. If the subject did not pop up in the conversations, then you should ask the other party if he would like to eat.

I would recomment to negotiate and seal the deal and later on you can have a huge bash, celebrate, enjoy and eat whatever you want. If it is not necesssary, do not mix business with anything. Stick to business because ususally these meertings are of a short period

Thanks once again to mr Muwaffal Noufal for the invitation to share my view.

In Europe in many advanced negotiations between two parts, not only food but also alcohol drinks can be offered. When I say food, I mean something light and perhaps some wine to go with it. Usually this can take place when the time of the negotiations is quite long and it works as a nice intermission to recuperate and recharge before reentering the negotiations. Offering of food and drinks is a must upon conclusion of any negotiations with a good deal for both parts.

In other cultures where alcohol is not permitted other beverages and some light finger food may be a good thing to show good hospitality and provide for a needed break. In most negotiations I have been part of, there was always water, coffee and tea and some juices. Also, some biscuits as well.

My personal opinion is that because a negotiation is a thing between human beings and not robots, something must be always offered by the party who is hosting. It can only look as a positive thing and never as a way to obstruct the focus of the participating people.

Serving food during negotiation is not an good idea but to relax the environment or to show your courtesy light refreshment should be offer.