Social Dilemma

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

Comments

    • +1

      I was a fully qualified actuary at 25.

      So, yeah. You can.

    • people can be off the grad program by 25?

      • If you are good at sucking up to the right people. Yes

        • +1

          Off*

  • Congrats on your new job.

    Giving them a nice pricey (atleast $100 worth) would be nice, esp if they directly helped you with the job.

    Definitely expresses your gratitude more.

    • +3

      what's a pricey?

      • +3

        Pricey (gift)

        Nah it a new Pokemon.

  • +2

    It's Melbourne it's never too late for a coffee :) It's the cafe capital of the world..! But in all seriousness coffee is fine at 3/4 pm.

  • +4

    I would go to a cafe regardless for a coffee, and get him some Haigh's chocolate to say thankyou. Colours aren't girly, selection is good.

    • Haigh's Chocolate? don't be so cheap…..

      • +2

        It's delicious!

        • -1

          naaahh, I think they are overrated.

        • @Colombian: woah, sensible people around….

        • +1

          @Colombian: Why? I didn't downvote you btw. I haven't found another chocolate I like nearly as much.

        • @MissG: I didn't mind haighs but I don't know if it was worth the price. I did get it talked up A LOT as I'm in Brisbane and everyone would tell me how great it was.

          I think the best I've ever had was coco black. Sooooo goooood.

        • @mooseymoose: You need to try the milk chocolate minty frogs!

        • @MissG: I am actually back in Melbourne next weekend, so I shall!

    • +2

      Go for Ganache in the CBD or Coco Black. More up market and amazing desserts.

  • +4

    Two words: Laser tag.

    • +15

      Two better words: Men's Gallery

  • +3

    Bikies

  • +2

    Acmi film and game place, it's amazing!

  • +2

    A slab goes a long way.

  • Coffee is always good! Heaps of cafes in the city. Best to ask him to suggest a place since he will know where the good places are.
    Make sure you give him some notice as his calendar may be booked out.
    I've kept in touch with the person who helped me get a job and catch up with her monthly.
    I don't think a gift is necessary but chocolate is always an easy one.

  • +2

    Closest hotel room maybe? Then dinner afterwards.

    • eat the booty like groceries

  • +1

    San Churo's or somewhere is always good at 3pm.

  • As someone who lived there for 7 years I can confirm that coffee is acceptable at any time of the day in Melbourne. People meet for coffee at 10pm. You can have a decaf if you think it will keep you up (I drink coffee every day but rarely after noon). There are some really cool little cafes in the city in Degraves and Harware lanes that will still be lively at 3 or 4pm.

    Agree nice bottle of wine is a good gift. Something upmarket from your home state.

  • Transport at Fedo Square, its near the train station and you can sit outside by the river. Plus it closes late.

  • 4pm is last call for coffee for professionals, its a perfect time to get one.

  • +1

    why do you have to meet? smiley emoji 😂 is all that's needed for phone friends 😂

  • Give him a kiss.

  • +11

    Eneloops.

    • +1

      this should have more upvotes

  • +1

    ice skating at docklands

    • The fact that there is a large slab of ice in the middle of Melbourne proves climate change is not real.

  • Be careful if you're thinking of buying the wine in your home state and taking it on the plane!
    Don't want that nice bottle being confiscated by airport security.

    • Why would it be confiscated? You can take up to 6 bottles on board.

      • You can if its purchased duty free. However if you try to buy from Dan Murphys etc. outside of the airport, they would be confiscated due to liquid limits.

        • I still don't understand. I've purchased 6 bottles of wine from wineries in SA and carried them onto the plane back to Melbourne.

        • +1

          @Buyme: I reckon he still thinks the 100ml liquid limits are in place?

  • Ä°f your female…

    • +3

      *you're

      • Mate, if it sounds right it's spelt write

        • +3

          didn't neg you.

          I get what yore saying

        • @altomic:

          This is Astwaya!
          Speak f'n Ingrish!

  • Cumulus or Chin chin, take them out for a cuppa and cake.

    As for gift- if they drink a nice bottle of Chivas Regal is great.

    • +1

      Luke, a new superchic nouvelle Chinese restaurant that also serves, oddly enough, Creole cuisine.

      As for gift- I stole a urinal cake from the men’s room when the attendant wasn’t looking. At home I covered it with a cheap chocolate syrup, froze it, then placed it in an empty Godiva box, tying a silk bow around it

      • Patrick Bateman, is that you? You must see my new business card.

  • The old rule is don't shit where you eat! Coffees are great in that if the person is incredibly odd you can skull your coffee and make excuses as get going, dinner on the other hand can be drawn out but if necessary make it as casual as possible

  • +1

    Candlelight dinner with some mood music?

  • U need chaperone?

  • A bottle of Whisky is never wrong.

    My current recommendation is Glengoyne Cask Strength. Best value for money :)

  • -1

    Take him to the 'rippers, shout him a lappy

  • Bring something well-known from where you come from for this time.
    The key is to keep it up once you set the standards.

  • -3

    if your a woman, DO NOT give him alcahol!

    bloked give other bloke that, it just sends all the wrong mesages…

    coffee is the right thing to do.

    • +3

      Don't think much of the average bloke, do you? I go out drinking with my work mates all the time and it never ends in an orgy.

      • -3

        she's never met him love, see the difference? stop trying to project your views where they dont apply.

        • A quick scan through the thread at the Op's comments takes less than 1 minute and this will tell you which sex they are.

          stop trying to project your views where they dont apply.

          Oh the irony, haha.

        • The irony, indeed, in what you say. I find it hilarious that "certain" guys complain they are put in the same bucket as rapists, yet feel they can generalise that women are sending the wrong message when they buy a drink for someone who has taken the time to help them. The vast majority of men are respectful of other people and treat their colleagues as professionals - then there are the people who think they can call someone they don' know as "love".

  • A Cafe/Bar would be best, that way you can have coffee and give the other person the option of beer/spirits. It's a very ordinary situation.

  • +2

    many people dont drink alcohol for various reasons (religious, celiac, personal choice etc) more than you think. its just aw-straya has a public image of being drunken fools. no shame in saying you dont drink

  • Drink some fresh pressed vegetable juice.

  • +2

    Stop overthinking it

  • Perhaps you could take him to a gay bar, gay bar…

  • I'd always prefer the cafe in the afternoon as there's a reasonable amount to choose from. Coffee and cake always goes down well too.

  • +1

    It is a very nice gesture on your part to travel to Melbourne to thank someone in person. Your gratitude is possibly his biggest gift. Coffee @4 pm and a nice red is good. Afternoon coffee meeting is very much a Melbourne thing.
    What I am mindful of is that if the person is a 25 year old professional, whether he would have the luxury of leaving work for a non business meeting during work time. Even if he can, he would still need to get to work in a short time. It would be nice to ask your benefactor what and where is it will be convenient for him.
    Another thing, him helping you get the job hopefully doesn't mean that he was on the interview panel. In that case a gift may not be appropriate. You know the nunances of your circumstances, so you are the best judge. Get a gift but when giving ask him if it is appropriate. If not your gratitude itself would make his day.
    Enjoy warm and fuzzy Melbourne whilst you are here.

    • totally agree except Melbourne is cold.

      • Sorry mate, warm Melbourne was scarcasm at Melbourne winter.

  • I can't wait to see how OP's date goes. Is there a reminder bot here?

  • Depending on where you are going to be I would suggest KoKo Blacks. Pretty good coffee, great hot chocolate and you can buy him some chocolates as well.

    • This place Sounds like an nubian strip joint.

      • +1

        I do know they used to do after hours chocolate workshops - maybe I should've gone to one of them.

  • Take him out drinking get him shitfaced, get a video of him doing something compromising, then blackmail him for a promotion.

  • kids lol

  • When in doubt go to maccas

  • The unique view from the Koko Black's upstairs section of the Royal Arcade shop is great. Can sit in wing chairs and look down on passer bys walking thhrpugh the covered arcade. Don't miss seeing Gog and Magog giant statues up high as Little Collins st end of arcade.

  • So how did it go?

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