4 things you should never order in front of your boss or coworkers, according to an etiquette expert

According to an etiquette expert, there are a few things you should never order at a work event.

Jovanmandic/Getty Images Business Insider asked an etiquette expert what employees should avoid ordering at work events.

She said it's best to stay away from anything too expensive or difficult to eat.

According to the expert, it's also important to limit your alcohol intake in front of colleagues.

Although business lunches , dinners, and happy hours are great opportunities to network and get to know your colleagues better, the way you handle the meal can leave a lasting impression.

To help you avoid any big mistakes, Business Insider asked an etiquette expert, Mariah Grumet Humbert, about the things you should avoid ordering in front of coworkers.

Here's what she said.

Overly expensive meals Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock When dining at a work event , it's best to avoid ordering the most expensive dish on the menu.

This includes seasonal items, which can be more expensive out of season, or fancier meals like steak or lobster.

Grumet Humbert also said to err on the side of caution when you don't know the price of a special or market-priced dish.

Excessive amounts of alcohol The Good Brigade/Getty Images Alcohol can be tricky to navigate in professional settings .

But whether you choose to drink or not, it's best to put your professional image first.

"When too much alcohol is consumed, you're not able to represent yourself in the best way," Grumet Humbert told BI.

"It could lead to potential tricky conversations, perhaps showing yourself in a light that you don't want to in a professional realm." Too much food Fusionstudio/Shutterstock Similarly, Grumet Humbert said it's best not to order a wide variety of items, as this will increase the bill.