I know a lot of big words, but I will always prefer the right word. Words like ostensibly and verisimilitude and pulchritudinous. Sometimes those are the right word, but sometimes the right word is kinda or almost or pretty. Sometimes I will spend fifteen minutes searching for the correct word because this is all I have. Because no matter how long I write and edit, once I post or publish or send the email it’s out of my hands. I hope I picked all the right words.

When I was a server in fine dining, people would ask for recommendations. Sometimes the best things were the most expensive, sometimes the least expensive. The menu changed frequently. On rare occasions, the best small plates and wines and entrees and desserts and cocktails on the menu were the most expensive. If I recommended all of the most expensive things, they’re going to assume that I just want to rack up their bill. That’s a fair assumption! Sometimes servers are doing that! You mitigate this situation by building trust through honesty, expertise, and a little bit of charm.

In this situation, I would pick my battles. I recommend the $22 octopus. He tells me he’s never had octopus. It seems weird. He doesn’t like calamari. Is it worth $22? I’m pretend to be offended. “Would I ever lie to you?” The hint of a smile, the twinkle in my eye - obviously I am joking. At my core, I am a flirt. I believe everyone deserves to be flirted with once a day…