Anakin Skywalker (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sith_happened) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2017-01-27 03:57 pm
sith_happened) wrote in fandomhigh2017-01-27 03:57 pm
Practical Diplomacy, Friday, January 27, 2017
Today the classroom was set up with the desks in three circles, complete with takeout menus for pizza, Chinese and Thai. "Today is one of the most practical bits of negotiating you can embark on," Anakin said. "Ordering lunch for a crowd and figuring out how to pay for it."
"Will you split it on the spot by order, forcing the waitstaff to spend precious time figuring out who pays for what?" Obi-Wan asked. "Will you split the price evenly? Will you pay for the group, and request everyone to pay you back later? In cash? Electronically? There is a wide range of possibilities. You may even choose to try and pay for the group without asking money back, in a gift - which sometimes is not so easily accepted."
"Especially if you go on a rotating basis for who pays," Anakin said, "and someone keeps missing their time to pay."
"Or someone does not want you to pay for them out of pride," Obi-Wan agreed. "Such discussions must be handled delicately."
"And possibly not in front of the group," Anakin said, nodding. "Okay. Break into small groups, order fake lunch and negotiate!"
"If the negotiations seem to be going smoothly, don't be afraid to take a different position," Obi-Wan said, a twinkle in his eye. "It can be enlightening."
Anakin snorted. "That last sentence explains so much about you, Master."
"Will you split it on the spot by order, forcing the waitstaff to spend precious time figuring out who pays for what?" Obi-Wan asked. "Will you split the price evenly? Will you pay for the group, and request everyone to pay you back later? In cash? Electronically? There is a wide range of possibilities. You may even choose to try and pay for the group without asking money back, in a gift - which sometimes is not so easily accepted."
"Especially if you go on a rotating basis for who pays," Anakin said, "and someone keeps missing their time to pay."
"Or someone does not want you to pay for them out of pride," Obi-Wan agreed. "Such discussions must be handled delicately."
"And possibly not in front of the group," Anakin said, nodding. "Okay. Break into small groups, order fake lunch and negotiate!"
"If the negotiations seem to be going smoothly, don't be afraid to take a different position," Obi-Wan said, a twinkle in his eye. "It can be enlightening."
Anakin snorted. "That last sentence explains so much about you, Master."