January 13, 2011
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Schmoozing
Tonight Ryan took me out to Hana Japan for dinner! It's one of those cool teppanyaki restaurants where the chefs do tricks and make jokes to entertain you as they cook your food in front of you. This was my 2nd time... first time I went was for my birthday in August (we went to get the free birthday meal and I left my ID at home. Typical!).
The tables are designed to seat 8 people in a U shape around a rectangular iron griddle. We were seated on one of the short sides next to a family of three. Across the table from us was a young boy and his mom. Even though we all shared the table, we didn't interact much... until I took out my camera.
I took a couple of lame shots of the "onion volcano" when the mom sitting beside me turned to me and asked, "I noticed you were taking photos. Is this a special occasion for you two?"
We looked at each other and laughed, saying no, it wasn't. Then Ryan quickly added in, "She's a professional photographer." As if that would explain taking snapshots of flaming onions on a grill.
The mom was immediately engaged in conversation. "What kind of photography? Do you have a business card with you? You know, we've been thinking about getting family portraits done but didn't have time..." I whipped out my ipad and showed her examples of family portraits I took last month. She loved them. She was really talkative and wanted to talk about everything - the food, her son's college, the cost of living in the area, how hard it is to find a job these days. It got to the point where I began to feel bad that my entire body was turned away from Ryan, absorbed in polite small talk with the mom.
We finally came to a break in conversation and I leaned in close to Ryan. The mom had asked about what we ordered. "You should let her try your scallops," he whispered. "... And kiss up to the MAX??!?" I whispered back. I'm happy to talk to strangers and even share food with them, but it seemed wrong to do it because of ulterior motives.
I did it anyway. She traded it for a piece of her chicken. At the end of the night she said, "We'll be seeing you again soon, I hope!"
Kinda sad how my romantic date ended up being more like a business meeting lol. By the end of dinner my face hurt from smiling so much. Talking to her made me nervous, probably because Ryan made me more aware of the fact that I was buttering her up. Speaking of which, the food was drenched in butter. It was delicious.
Comments (13)
place sounds interesting... wish we had something like that here.
wow, that sounds like an interesting date. we only have what we call 'dampa' here. you can buy the raw ingredients or fish for your meal, but they don't prepare it in front of you. i think it's great that you were able to find a potential client while you were having a great time with your bf. it's like hitting two birds with one stone. very nice.
"Then Ryan quickly added in, "She's a professional photographer." kekkee smart man XD.
lol you bring your camera AND ipad to dinner, awesome.
you should read "its not just who you know", I just read it, its a book about networking in a non cheesy schmoozing way.
is it like Beni Hana? The food taste great (japanese grill) and it's a fun environment. Do you really carry your camera and ipad everywhere? You must have a giant backpack, beside the women stuff you probably normally carry around.
okay, i'm laughing. poor kid. there goes your romantic night! but at least you did get something out of it. but sometimes you i understand, you just want a break. so just keep that camera in your bag woman!
@LillyVRose - It IS really cool! I'll try to find photos/videos to show you what it looks like!
@KGTeriKat - @oxyGENE_08 - :)
@pika_whoosh - Hahaha indeed he is!
@jamesc1025 - I take my camera everywhere... including the club. Sounds like a good book.
@sf2slc - Yep, exactly the same type of restaurant. I guess it depends on where I'm going and what I'm doing, but yes, I bring them most places... the ipad fit in my purse. I was just holding the camera by itself lol.
@IpowerhouseI - pfffft as if it would have been romantic otherwise... hahaha. The camera doesn't fit in my bag LOL. I carried it in my hands!!!
Happens to me all the time! I'll plan a nice meal with friends and then the next thing I know I am out in the parking lot with strangers selling my pottery. Lol.
We have a place very similar to that here called Wasabi's. I love it. I have only been there a couple of times. I usually only go for a special occasion of some kind. Last year, I went to The Melting Pot for my birthday. It was a very cool fondue restaurant.
LOL. I used to have my Kindle with me at all times. Now I have my iPad with me at all times. I'm too lazy to lug my camera around
@boxedwine - Hahaha nice!! Yeah it's way too expensive to go often. I got away with it this time because we've been fighting over how much money he spent on a (girl) friend's Christmas present. I was not happy. He claimed that it was "not expensive at all" and I challenged him by asking him to take me to this restaurant because the bill would be about the same price. lol.
OHHH I have always wanted to try Melting Pot. Thank you for reminding me about that place! I will add it onto a list of places to go this year.
@misajour - I know, my camera is so bulky and heavy. I only bring it when I know for sure that I will want to take photos. Wasn't even worth it last night because... well I'll probably blog about it. On the other hand I guess I'm glad I brought it since it sparked a conversation with that mom.
@onlyjustbegun - Will do! =)
Makes sense to me! The Melting Pot is great but so so so expensive. I went with three or four other people I believe, and the meal was a solid $200.
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