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Tip – Match Your Partner’s “Eating Speed”

By November 6, 2017February 9th, 2019No Comments
two executives have a business lunch meeting, man and woman

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:

  1. Someone is talking more than the other person, either from a personality trait or because of the conversation topic
  2. 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

Ira Koretsky

Ira Koretsky has built The Chief Storyteller® into one of the most recognized names in communication, especially business storytelling. He has delivered over 500 keynote presentations and workshops in nearly a dozen countries, in more than one hundred cities, across 30 plus industries. His specialties are simplifying the complex and communicating when the stakes are high. He is also an adjunct professor in public speaking and storytelling at the University of Maryland's Business School. With over 25 years of experience, he is a sought-after storytelling coach, global speaker, trainer, consultant, communication coach, and public speaking coach.