Networking breakfast blues - to eat or not to eat!Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to speak at the breakfast meeting of the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, held at a rather smart hotel just outside Bath.  As is usual at these events, everyone gathered in a reception room first for a cup of coffee and then we were ushered into the dining room and had large plates of full English set before us.  I picked at mine – after all, if you’re about to address a roomful of people the last thing you want is a palate thick with egg and bacon – feeling bad about the waste of food.

I totally understand the principle of networking over a meal.  It saves time in a busy day to refuel at the same time as meeting people, but I find that all too often I eat automatically without enjoying the food and maybe end up eating too much without even noticing till it’s too late.  Or I eat almost nothing and leave with a rumbling stomach and low energy.

There’s also the potential for so much embarrassment when you’re meeting and eating with strangers.  Juggling with drink and food, not to mention exploding vol au vents and canapés that drip filling down your clothes and onto the carpet.

Food and people are both sources of fascination to me and I prefer to concentrate and enjoy each separately, but I’ve never heard anybody else express this opinion.  Maybe I’m socially inept.  Or just plain greedy.  Is it just me?