Sorry for Being in My Own Restaurant

Last Tuesday, I was lucky enough to get theater tickets from my amazing colleague Jens – Woo Hoo! My husband and I treated ourselves to a delicious dinner before the show. And the food was delicious! So, it was a shame that all the waiters started saying “sorry” every time they came to our table with one delicious dish after another.

An unconscious situational language pattern that they had all incorporated made them express that they were an annoyingly disturbing element in the romantic dinner. And yes, my husband and I talk a lot, so a waiter can't avoid breaking in “in the middle of something” – but that's the disruption we come for. The food and the passionate waiter who knows a lot about the food and wine they serve.

At my favorite restaurant in Roskilde, the waiters get straight to the point: “Now we’re going down to the Italian boot, where Gregorio and his wife Barbara have made a dense, deep red wine with an amazing taste! The scent is overwhelming with aromas of vanilla, ripe berries, dark chocolate…” The details continue like this - they tell you about soil conditions, production methods and the family behind the delicious wine, and the fine ingredients.

Whether you are a waiter, salesperson or consultant, it is important that you are never a disturbing element! If you call, there may be a better time, and this must of course be clarified. But you have something relevant and wanted to offer - otherwise you would not have made contact.

Your opening line is important! It strengthens your ethos and the recipient’s expectations - in other words, a good opening line provides the ticket to a good conversation, as the expectation is that you are worth spending time with.

Shall we find your opening lines together?

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