Social Dilemma

activ8newbs on 27/06/2017 - 11:48

I'm flying to Melb in a couple weeks.

My flight arrives at 2pm. I plan to catch up with someone I've only ever met through the phone. He's a corporate professional who helped me get a job. He's about 25 and works in the city in professional services.

I want to just thank him etc. But I want to meet him at around 3 or 4pm. I don't drink alcohol, so I prefer not to go to a pub (I'll be fine but I'm sure he'll feel awkward)

What can we do instead? It's too early for dinner and too late for lunch. Is a coffee catch up suitable for that time of day?

Any other suggestions? Thanks guys

Education & Work

Comments

  • activ8newbs on 27/06/2017 - 11:49
    +6

    Also, what's a suitable gift ?

      • kerfuffle on 27/06/2017 - 14:54
        +30

        As a thank you for getting him the job, probably. Did the same for my old manager who got me into the department I'm currently in

      • SupeNintendoChalmers on 29/06/2017 - 09:00
        +6

        etiquette

      • OzzyOzbourne on 29/06/2017 - 11:17
        +2

        Common decency

      • T1OOO on 29/06/2017 - 14:58

        what have you used the word NEED ?

        you dont NEED To its a nice token jesture of appreciation, something thoughfull dosnt have to be expensive.

        • WatchNerd on 29/06/2017 - 23:01
          +2

          Oh the irony, haha.

        • cashless on 30/06/2017 - 08:25

          Granmar

    • BargainCowboy on 28/06/2017 - 13:40
      +41

      Guylian Belgian Chocolate Shells…

      • Menzoberranzan on 28/06/2017 - 17:04
        +2

        I would love someone to buy me those! :D

      • eurofoti on 30/06/2017 - 22:43

        Or property on Mars

    • anonymous01 on 28/06/2017 - 14:29
      +17

      If he drinks, buy him a scotch bottle. As for where to go, cafe is probably best, but if he likes drinking, go to a fancy bar and order a mocktail for yourself. I know the city like back of my hand. Let me know if you need any help with cafes or bars.

      • billy77 on 28/06/2017 - 15:00
        +3

        Surprise: anonymous01s hands has only palms.
        :P

        • anonymous01 on 28/06/2017 - 17:42
          +15

          Surprise: I have no arms.

                      .#####.                
            |_____|                
           (\#/ \#/)               
            |  U  |                
            \  _  /                
             \___/                 
         .---'   `---.             
        /  #########  \            
          |####|####|             
          \ ####### /            
           \  ###  /          
            \_###_/          
            |\   /|          
            | \_/ |            
            |  |  |                
            |  |  |                
            |  |  |                
            |  |  |                
            |  |  |                
            )  |  (                
          .oooO Oooo.
        • Slippery Fish on 29/06/2017 - 07:45
          +2

          @anonymous01: or balls o.O

        • Kozhutki on 30/06/2017 - 06:22

          @Slippery Fish:

          did you just assume their gender?

    • 50cent on 29/06/2017 - 00:15
      +12

      eneloops

    • [Deactivated] on 30/06/2017 - 00:41

      A watch.
      Get him a watch.

  • QW3RTY on 27/06/2017 - 11:54
    +11

    You could always suggest a tea or coffee — it's a bit late in the day, but it beats the pub, especially if you don't drink and you plan to chat.

    As for a gift, a nice bottle of red wine would probably be suitable. Even if he isn't a frequent drinker, it could always be brought out for a special dinner which he could share with family or friends.

    • activ8newbs on 27/06/2017 - 11:57

      Thanks! I was thinking a coffee catch up but it's really late in the day for that :/

      • the-mal on 27/06/2017 - 12:39
        +18

        A coffee catchup doesn't have to mean coffee. He might just grab an arvo tea pastry or something. At that time I think a coffee shop is your best bet.

        I also agree with a decent bottle of red.

        No one ever complains when they get free coffee or wine.

        • ItsMeAgro on 27/06/2017 - 13:02
          +6

          No one ever complains when they get free coffee or wine.

          I don't ever drink either coffee or wine.

        • nubzy on 27/06/2017 - 15:58
          +5

          @ItsMeAgro: wow, your missing out..

        • pjetson on 27/06/2017 - 16:45

          @ItsMeAgro: Same here - so it's "no-one except Agro and me ever complains when they get free coffee or wine" :-)

        • QW3RTY on 27/06/2017 - 16:53
          +6

          @pjetson: You shouldn't really complain anyway. A nice bottle of wine is one of the best re-gifts! PM me and I'll shoot you my mailing address.

        • pjetson on 27/06/2017 - 19:37
          +1

          @QW3RTY: You can't seriously think I'm going to pay the postage to you, do you? I'm an Ozbargainer!

        • lainey13 on 28/06/2017 - 10:50

          @pjetson: Me three…

        • cameldownunder on 28/06/2017 - 16:59
          +2

          @nubzy: I don't do Drugs.

        • ajdlinux on 29/06/2017 - 22:39

          @lainey13: Me four!

      • FeRGan on 27/06/2017 - 14:35

        Really?

      • Epokk on 28/06/2017 - 15:26
        +2

        3-4pm is perfect for a coffee catch up. I go for a coffee break at that time every day.

      • dogcatman on 30/06/2017 - 11:26

        There's no such thing as 'too late' for coffee in Melbourne.

  • ItsMeAgro on 27/06/2017 - 12:02
    +6

    I'd want to go get ice-cream. Maybe that sounds too much like a date, though…

  • dasher86 on 27/06/2017 - 12:42
    +54

    Coffee is not odd for a professional at 3 or 4 pm.

    • wozz on 29/06/2017 - 07:06
      +3

      Completely agree

    • Name on 29/06/2017 - 08:42
      +7

      Yeah, as a professional at 3 or 4pm you've still got another 5 hours of work left to do.

      • dasher86 on 29/06/2017 - 09:06
        +5

        3-4 is about a time for another mental break

      • ilikeradiohead on 29/06/2017 - 11:53
        +5

        Sounds like you don't work for the government.

        • Name on 29/06/2017 - 17:49

          I completed a 6 month secondment into a government department a few years ago. Living the dream in there. I've worked for a few different large international consultancies, and across them all, hardly anyone leaves at 5, maybe the business assistants and receptionist.

        • Shiny Mew on 30/06/2017 - 21:37

          It depends in what department and in what capacity you are working. When I was a legal intern at a prominent department in Canberra not long ago, it was not uncommon for the lawyers to start at 8am and leave at 6.30pm (and sometimes much later during politically eventful periods). Obviously much better than the 70 hours the average uni student or graduate lawyer puts in, however.

      • Munki on 29/06/2017 - 15:22
        +8

        As a professional, I leave at 5…

        • field1985 on 29/06/2017 - 15:40
          +13

          Completely agree. If you're working until 8-9pm you're not a professional, you're getting screwed.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 29/06/2017 - 21:38
          +2

          @fieldo85:

          I dunno, I think the working professionals mostly get screwed after 10 PM.

        • Shiny Mew on 30/06/2017 - 21:41

          @fieldo85:

          That's one more hour per day than my peers and I spent studying whilst at university, for six-plus years, yet we weren't getting paid (but paying the university). For our efforts, only half of us ended up securing relevant work during the year after graduation. So the modern day professional doesn't have it that bad!

      • PVA on 29/06/2017 - 21:33

        so some would make you believe, but its not true.

    • smoothymcmellow on 29/06/2017 - 15:11

      Sometimes I would have 6 or 7 coffee meetings a day, it's completely normal and often preferred

  • dcep on 27/06/2017 - 12:43
    +3

    I always get $2 coffee at happy hour (after 3)

    • SeVeN11 on 29/06/2017 - 00:32
      +1

      no such thing as a $2 coffee in Perth… unless I have a coupon for a maccas one…
      never heard of happy hour for coffee…

      • ruddiger7 on 29/06/2017 - 08:29
        +1

        My place does flip for free between 2 and 3. Flip a coin and call heads or tails, if you get it you drink free if not, you pay.

      • ozzyoi on 29/06/2017 - 11:54

        Checks out username!

        7/11 always has a $1 cofee :)

    • Name on 29/06/2017 - 08:42
      +1

      Yeah mine used to do that now they give discounts if you bring your own cup instead.

      • RnO on 01/07/2017 - 09:59

        love this!

  • KaTst3R on 27/06/2017 - 13:04
    +3

    Melbourne has really good cafes everywhere. So just coffee and cake will be appropriate for 3pm.

  • altomic on 27/06/2017 - 13:08
    +31

    $3 large coffee for $1 @ 7/11 with ATM receipt

    keep it professional.

    • ruddiger7 on 29/06/2017 - 08:29

      Drinking mine right now - these are saving me so much cash.

    • RnO on 01/07/2017 - 10:02

      i don't support blatant disregard for workers minimum wages in australia. just sayin. is it any good anyway or do they mix diesel fuel into it?

  • Halo375 on 27/06/2017 - 13:45
    +9

    Short Stop Coffee and Donuts - http://www.short-stop.com.au/locations/ in the Melbourne CBD. Nice place for a coffee and some fancy donuts and they close at 5.30pm.

    • activ8newbs on 27/06/2017 - 15:55
      +7

      you're amazing - thankyou. I'll be heading there!

  • JimB on 27/06/2017 - 14:17
    +10

    Are you male or female?

    Flight is scheduled to land at 2pm, I think you're better arranging a meeting time at 5pm to play it safe.

    You're going to be rushing to meet in the city at 3pm and the last thing you want to be doing is rushing or stressing that you won't make the appointment, or worst- being late.

    At 5pm, you can meet at a restaurant/pub and have a light meal, he can have a drink or meal, and you can have a light meal.

    If you wish to thank him, rather than a gift, just take him somewhere nice.

    • carwashhair on 27/06/2017 - 14:27

      I'm guessing female to corporate male, given the 'social dilemma'. A pub or meal would stray too close to personal than professional given OP has only spoken to Mr. Will second a bottle of wine, for want of something else.

    • activ8newbs on 27/06/2017 - 15:56
      +4

      Thanks mate.

      I'm a male. I think you're right. I'm now tossing up between a cafe at 4pm or a light snack, early dinner at 530pm.

      • mparf on 28/06/2017 - 20:42
        +1

        If you want a vaguely higher-end feeling place, Calia in Melbourne Emporium.
        They do teas/coffee and pastries, but also really nice for a sit down meal.

        • sushirais on 29/06/2017 - 00:35

          Would recommend Calia, amazing coffee and service. Affordable luxury

  • tikei on 27/06/2017 - 14:49

    intrigued as to how you met him via the phone.

    can't just go to a decent restaurant? he can then choose if he wants just a drink or a light meal or a proper meal.

    • activ8newbs on 27/06/2017 - 15:56
      +3

      I met someone at a networking night…and he introduced me to this bloke via email.

      • sanf on 28/06/2017 - 13:27

        Nice!

      • hahaboy on 29/06/2017 - 22:13

        What role/ industry did he set you up in?

        • activ8newbs on 01/07/2017 - 10:50
          +1

          Funnily enough, he set up in one of the big 4 accounting firms.

          But I didn't actually take the job. I had a competitor offer me somethign better haha.

  • inherentchoice on 27/06/2017 - 15:46
    +1

    Meet in a public space near some cafes and shops - hand over the gift and then suggest you can buy him a coffee or something and leave it up to him. He might know a cool spot to grab something.

  • boo hoo on 27/06/2017 - 16:13
    +52

    would a BJ be out of the question?

    • activ8newbs on 27/06/2017 - 16:36
      +67

      Ben&Jerry's…too cold for ice cream imo.

      • altomic on 27/06/2017 - 17:39
        +5

        BJ, um, not Ben&Jerry's, no, he means a Bachelor of Journalism

        • activ8newbs on 27/06/2017 - 17:57
          +6

          ahahaha I'm sure he means that ^

      • Scrooge McDuck on 27/06/2017 - 22:22
        +38

        Well handled. 10/10

    • iamw0man on 28/06/2017 - 09:45
      +13

      Found the guy.

  • tsunamisurfer on 27/06/2017 - 19:02
    -4

    Thank God someone said it.

    Ladies, we do not want coffee / cake / donuts / ice cream.

    • pjetson on 27/06/2017 - 19:38
      +1

      Or wine….

    • Scrooge McDuck on 27/06/2017 - 22:23
      +4

      Hey!

      I want ice cream.

      • kiitos on 28/06/2017 - 18:27

        …and the penguin said, "No, that's just ice cream".

    • bargdebarg on 29/06/2017 - 05:54

      I do

    • Zenyatta on 29/06/2017 - 09:13

      OP is a male.

  • FSTB on 28/06/2017 - 07:24
    +4

    Your place or his place after?

  • PlasticSpaceman on 28/06/2017 - 09:42

    As others have said, going to a cafe in the afternoon is perfectly fine. Lots of places around to choose from, and people can have coffee or tea or even a hot chocolate (highly recommend the Chilli hot chocolate at Koko Black). If you want to give them a gift, then yes a bottle of wine is a good idea. Or even simply suggest paying for lunch sometime in the future - can always make a joke about it being McDonalds if the job turns out to be rubbish. ;-)

  • [Deactivated] on 28/06/2017 - 09:51
    +1

    Do you not drink alcohol because you are too young?

  • jprockbelly on 28/06/2017 - 13:11
    +1

    Why not just give them a choice? - "Hey, I'd like to catch up with you when I'm in in Melbourne. Are you free around 4pm? We could grab a quick coffee or beer, whichever you prefer."

    No professinoal adult will feel uncomfortable if you order a lemondae while they have a beer.

  • Shame on 28/06/2017 - 13:12
    +7

    Are their any 25 year old "corporate professionals"? You mean "graduate" right?

    • carkell on 28/06/2017 - 16:59

      Anyone working for a corporation is technically a corporate professional.

      • Shame on 28/06/2017 - 18:44
        +2

        Not in my book

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