In my younger professional days, I had a lunch meeting with a more seasoned and more senior person than me. Let’s call him James. As he was talking, I was eating. And I kept eating such that when I was done, James still half of his food on his plate.
He glanced at my plate and he said nothing. I turned a shade of red. I didn’t realize what happened until that moment.
Ever been at a business meal and found yourself finished wayyyy before your dining partner? Or perhaps your dining partner was finished wayyyy before you?
Generally, this occurs for one of two reasons:
- Someone is talking more than the other person, either from a personality trait or because of the conversation topic
- One person is a much faster eater. Ever eaten with a human vacuum cleaner? Typically a man, he’ll say something like, “Sorry, I know I am a fast eater.”
In either case, it is best to match your partner’s eating speed to avoid any chance of embarrassment, for either person(s).
Your goal…finish approximately at the same time.
Photography Source: DepositPhotos