Dating And Networking - When "Business" Meetings Go Awry

Networking is a bit of a chore.

If it’s not about what you know, but who you know, then I guess forcing yourself to meet new people is a step on the ladder to success.

The problem is, it’s getting harder to work out whether people want to meet up for business, pleasure...or a bit of both.

Either way, things get sleazy as the cheap wine flows.

Londoners are just starting to cotton on to what New Yorkers have known for a while – networking events are the perfect pick up joints.

Now I’m not suggesting that if you cough up £100 for a business breakfast you can expect an early morning orgy.

However, if you pick a Thursday meet-up between 8pm and 11pm, let’s face it, things get downright inappropriate.

The Turbo Pitch

I recently attended a networking event in a smart club in Marylebone, on the search for new clients and equipped with a stack of cards.

Arriving at the venue at 8pm, guests were welcomed into an ornate Georgian room with nightclub-style tables and racy modern art.

The hostess for the night, sporting a skintight black dress, high heels and deep red lipstick welcomed us from the DJ booth.

We were told to make the most of the table service and order in some drinks.

45 minutes in and the business pitching was yet to begin.

But the lights had dropped down low and most guests were a large glass of Chardonnay down.

Finally, the event started up. Six speakers and one minute to pitch.

Taking it in turns, the start-ups and business types performed to the crowd.

But most people had their eyes on their booze and each other.

As the speeches drew to a close, I decided to speed round the room, looking for something – anything - of value.

I happened upon a 37 year old English gent – a charmer who wanted to chat, well, business.

We talked shop for 20 minutes and he let slip early on that he was happily married.  

He spoke in depth about his wife and how he was ‘punching above his weight’ . Then talked shop a little more.

Looking around though, it was starting to resemble the last days of Rome in here.

The crowd was pissed and a man, so drunk he was cross-eyed, was firing out slurred questions – was he going to be sick?!

Deciding to call it a night I thanked my companion for the good company and great advice. At least someone was here for the right reasons.

Turning to go, he grabbed me by the arm, stroking the length of it quickly.

Carelessness I’m sure.

Exchanging cards, I was about to walk away when he stopped me with this:

“I hope you know what I’d do with an exotic thing like you if I wasn’t married", he said. 

“You’re a naughty little girl, I’m sure of it.”

I walked away with his business card burning a hole in my pocket (and soul).

Turns out, he was in the business of pleasure.

And what’s the takeaway here?  

Don’t be a naïve idiot?

Probably.

More to the point, be savvy about where you go to network vs. net-twerk.

If you’re looking for saucy single fun, go to meet-ups in clubs and tacky bars.

If you want to get down to business, find a brightly lit conference room or head to Google Campus.

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Nana is the newest addition to our Yahoo Lifestyle blogging team. She's runs a bespoke dating service called Social Concierge.

Check out her full bio HERE.