Should I have bought it for the president, teh coffee?

[patrickBOOTH]

This morning I was in the cafeteria at work and the president of the company was behind me. We exchanged small chit chat and he said to me, "when I grow up I want to be as sharply dressed as you." Of course I was flattered, but I had to correct him, "I'm wearing a one-button peak lapel suit, NOT conservative business dress."

Joking, I didn't really say that, but I thanked him for the compliment and I paid for my breakfast and said my goodbyes. As I am walking away I am thinking to myself, should I have bought him his coffee? Would that have been a good move, or a kind of lame one? What do you think?

 

[tj100]

Lame. He should have bought you your coffee/breakfast.

 

[theyare]

Depends on the size of the company any relationship you might have with him, but I think he should have been the one taking it down.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

But if I bought him the coffee would it have helped or hurt me?

 

[tj100]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

But if I bought him the coffee would it have helped or hurt me?

Probably neither. Personally, I think it would have put him in an awkward place, which is never a great thing to do. If, between the two of you, one is going to pay for both, it should be the most senior person who offers. If you throw out the offer, you make it seem as though he's cheaped out on his responsibility.

 

[ter1413]

Lame and considered brown nosing!

 

[Eason]

He's the boss, he's making ******* money and you're making peanuts. Unless he's your friend, don't buy.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

you did the right thing.

 

[spertia]

It wouldn't even cross my mind to buy him coffee in this scenario. Don't worry about it.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Cool, thanks guys. I will sleep tonight. Lonely, in a one-room leaky apartment, with no heat, hot water, or windows.

 

[munchausen]

The guy with authority is the one who picks up the tab. It's one of the folkways of the business world.

 

[Slopho]

No offense, but does he even know your name?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by Slopho

No offense, but does he even know your name?

Yes, he knows me. I give him presentations and such.

 

[unjung]

Every time I go out for lunch or drinks with a superior, they pay. They won't let me touch my wallet.

 

[scientific]

he'll be impressed if you're smart and make money for him, not if you buy him coffee