This weekend, I had an unsettling experience while visiting a new acquaintance. I say "new," because it is a person I've only met once before. And, to be honest, that was an unsettling experience as well.
I was told to arrive at this person's house at 10:00 am. When I arrived, he asked me to wait for him, while he showered.
He did not offer me a drink, but he did show me the remote.
"Alright," I thought, "I could use a stiff drink. After all, it was after 10:00 am, and I never drink before 10:00 am. But, if I have to wait for someone, a glass of bourbon would be nice."
In any case, I sat down and surfed channels on the TV.
30 minutes later, I still heard the shower, but no sign of the person I was visiting. At this point, I felt that I had the complete right to raid the fridge for any sign of alcohol. I found a can of Bud and made it my own.
Another 30 minutes passed, without a sign of the person I was visiting. I threw my empty can into the trash can and walked out of the house, dusting my shoes off as I left the house. I hope to never meet this person again.
On reflecting on this incident, I thought too myself: business etiquette is not complicated.
When someone visits you, be punctual, be ready and offer your guest a drink.
Oh, yes, and one more thing: turn off the cellphone...
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