The average party goer, let's say Charlie, arrives at the bash. He
makes a beeline for the refreshment table for munchies and a beverage. He then finds a few buddies and starts chatting away with
them.
Chewing the nibbles on his plate and the fat with his friends,
he occasionally looks around the room to see who might be new
and fun to talk to. He's hoping several attractive and interesting
people at the party will spot him and come over to talk.
What's wrong with Charlie's approach? Everything, if Charlie wants to make the party productive. Let's start with the average party goer's first mistake—getting some refreshments and a
drink right off the bat.
People mingling at a party make judgments, often subconscious, about whom they are going to approach. Have you ever
lived on a farm? Or had a dog or a cat? Then you know you never
disturb animals when they are eating. Likewise, when a human
animal is eating, other human animals do not feel comfortable
advancing. If party goers' eyes scan the crowd and see you with
the feed bag on, they pass right over you. Subconsciously they're
saying to themselves, "Let the hungry hound chow down and
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Common Party Blooper
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maybe we'll talk later." Later never comes because they wind up
making friends with someone else whose mouth wasn't full.
Politicians always eat before they come to the party. They
know they'd need a circus juggler's talent to shake hands, exchange
business cards, hold a drink, and stuff crackers and cheese into
their mouths—all with just two hands.
How to Avoid the Most Common Party Blooper 271
Technique #71
Munching or Mingling
Politicians want to be eyeball to eyeball and belly to
belly with their constituents. Like any big winner well
versed in the science of proxemics and spatial
relationships, they know any object except their belt
buckle has the effect of a brick wall between two
people. Therefore they never hold food or drink at a
party.
Come to munch or come to mingle. But do not
expect to do both. Like a good politician, chow down
before you come.