I recently switched teams at work and moved from a core-technical to the marketing department. Some of the advice given to me by a good friend on the very first day was, "You'd better start smoking if you want to network!”
I was just thinking as to why he made that statement. A few days into the new role, I found out what exactly he meant. I noticed that people who smoke bind very easily. Looks like the smoke breaks the ice (pun intended). It became so much easier to strike a conversation with folks who smoke. The easiest pick-up line being, "Do you have a light?". Even when we were in training, all the guys who did smoke seemed to get along really well as compared to those who didn't. For those who did not smoke, it became a lot tougher to find some common ground between us to talk.
Two things that seem to bind people, especially guys, is smoke and cricket. (The other cancer). And since I really don't care about either, I guess I'm in for a tough time. I'm even contemplating taking up smoking, but i guess my health is not worth it. I do have this silly thing about carrying a zippo around, but I haven't bought one as it would just look stupid if I carried a lighter and did not smoke. People would think I’m a pyro-maniac of some sort.
I have made friends and comrades without having to smell like a chimney before, I don’t see why it cant happen now.Just a slightly longer road ahead, I guess.
I was just thinking as to why he made that statement. A few days into the new role, I found out what exactly he meant. I noticed that people who smoke bind very easily. Looks like the smoke breaks the ice (pun intended). It became so much easier to strike a conversation with folks who smoke. The easiest pick-up line being, "Do you have a light?". Even when we were in training, all the guys who did smoke seemed to get along really well as compared to those who didn't. For those who did not smoke, it became a lot tougher to find some common ground between us to talk.
Two things that seem to bind people, especially guys, is smoke and cricket. (The other cancer). And since I really don't care about either, I guess I'm in for a tough time. I'm even contemplating taking up smoking, but i guess my health is not worth it. I do have this silly thing about carrying a zippo around, but I haven't bought one as it would just look stupid if I carried a lighter and did not smoke. People would think I’m a pyro-maniac of some sort.
I have made friends and comrades without having to smell like a chimney before, I don’t see why it cant happen now.Just a slightly longer road ahead, I guess.
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