Chapter 80 TECHNIQUE 71 DINING OR FARMING

The average person at a banquet, let's say Charlie, when he arrives at the venue, he always walks up to the table first and lines up for some snack or drink.Then find some old friends and start small talk. While eating, Charlie chatted with his friends, occasionally looking around to see if there were any new faces worth getting to know.He was hoping with all his heart that some attractive person would see him and come and talk. Where did Charlie go wrong with this approach?If he was hoping to get something out of the party, it would be all wrong to do so.Let’s start with the number one mistake most people make—grabbing snacks and drinks as soon as they arrive.

Partygoers are constantly judging who to strike up a conversation with, often subconsciously.Have you ever lived on a farm?Or have you ever had a cat or dog?If you have, you must know that animals should never be disturbed when they are eating.Likewise, if one person is eating, another person may feel uncomfortable approaching for a conversation.If people look around the room and catch their eyes on you and see you eating, they will immediately jump over you.Subconsciously, they say to themselves, "Let him eat his fill first, maybe we'll talk later." But "later" never comes.Because they've made friends with other people who don't have food in their mouths.

Before politicians go to dinner, they always fill their stomachs first.Because they know that they only have two hands, and they have to shake hands, exchange business cards, hold cups, and stuff biscuits and cheese into their mouths, unless they are stuntmen in a circus troupe.

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There is only one choice between feasting and making good friends.Don't expect you to be able to do both.To learn from smart politicians, fill your stomach before going to meetings.