Technique #40 Baring Their Hot Button
Before jumping blindly into a bevy of bookbinders or a
drove of dentists, find out what the hot issues are in
their fields. Every industry has burning concerns the
outside world knows little about. Ask your informant to
bare the industry buzz. Then, to heat the conversation
up, push those buttons.Back to the art show you're about to attend. You can't let Sally
hang up yet. She's given you the two best opening questions for
How to Bare Their Hot Button (Elementary Doc-Talk) 155
Technique #40
Baring Their Hot Button
Before jumping blindly into a bevy of bookbinders or a
drove of dentists, find out what the hot issues are in
their fields. Every industry has burning concerns the
outside world knows little about. Ask your informant to
bare the industry buzz. Then, to heat the conversation
up, push those buttons.
04 (143-170B) part four 8/14/03 9:18 AM Page 155
artists. But don't let her go until you get the real conversational
grabber. Ask her the hottest issues going on in the art world. She
might think a minute and then say, "Well, there's always art prices."
"Art prices?" you ask.
"Yes," she explains. "For example, in the 1980s the art world
was very market-driven. Prices went sky-high because some
investors and status seekers paid exorbitant amounts. We feel that
kind of took art away from the masses."
Wow, now you're really armed with some good insider art talk!
See You at the Big One!
While you're at it, don't forget to grill your informant for special
insider greetings to use when you're with their gang. For example,
actresses cringe if they hear "good luck" before a show, but they
smile at well-wishers who say "Break a leg!"
"Break a leg," however, is not appropriate for runners before
a marathon. That's the last thought they want to have! The only
thing they want to break is their personal record. Try "Have a personal best!"
Firefighters who work on shift seldom see each other except,
of course, at the biggest blazes. Thus the firefighters' greeting "See
ya at the big one!"
Once, driving in a sleepy town you'd have to work at getting
lost in, I succeeded. I was hopelessly turned around. Happily, I
spotted the firehouse and a couple of bored firefighters lounging
out front.
"Excuse me, can you tell me the way back to Route 50?" I
called out the window. I could tell from their attitude they thought
I was an idiot. Nevertheless, they lethargically pointed me in the
right direction. As I drove off, I called out, "Thanks guys, see ya
at the big one!" In the rearview mirror I saw huge smiles break out
on their faces as they stood up in unison and waved good-bye. The
disoriented dizzy blond driving off had won their respect with
their insider salute.