Food For Thought

 Everyone loves to eat. Food is necessary for survival. Food is also a social activity. I am still in Florida, visiting my parents. As soon as we see their friends, the first question is, "where are you eating dinner tonight"? Everyone runs through the list of which places are good and which are not. The list changes seasonally. Places that were the best ones last year, are now on the "worst" list. Senior citizens can shut down a business within a month. A cold cup of soup or an aloof waitress could lead to disaster. To displease one, is to displease all. They are the toughest audience that I have ever met. Years ago, I worked in a large hospital. The drug reps had to visit the doctors weekly, just to keep their products in good standing. A new rep came in one day, to try and sell a new type of anesthetic. Although there were at least 15 doctors in the room, everyone ignored him. Week after week, for about two months, I watched, as this young man tried so hard to be heard. Then he got smart. One day he brought in bagels, cream cheese and lox. In one instant, he went from being the invisible man to the bell of the ball. After that day, be brought in bagels and lox, once a week. After a month, the hospital switched to his new product. Patients did not know that the anesthesia they were being given, was decided upon, because the doctors loved bagels. That is food for thought.