Unplug & Eat!
My last three week business trip ended with a marathon of three--count ’em three--presentations last Thursday in Pittsburgh, PA. My business travels began in Boston and included stops in Washington, D.C., New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, back to New York City, and finally Pittsburgh, PA. I returned to Denver only to head back out on another three week tour today.
On this last tour, I made three big discoveries.
First, those of you who find yourself in New York City, make sure you take the time to discover The Chemists Club (www.dylanhotel.com/dining.asp), the restaurant connected to The Dylan Hotel. After undergoing a major renovation, the restaurant opened this Fall and it clearly has yet to be discovered by much of New York. The food is excellent, try the dressed oysters, and the decor is stunningly attractive--Art Deco made modern. If you can, book the table situated in front of the restaurant’s fireplace. It’s the perfect place to loll away on a chilly Fall evening.
Second, kudos go out to the Bruegger’s Bagel franchise manager of the store on Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh. Throughout the time I sat in this shop, sufficient time to wade through the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, I heard every single person behind the counter ask, "May I help the next guest in line?" I emphasize the word "guest." Clearly, the person who manages this location understands that manners can be taught. And boy, does it appear to pay off! At one point that morning, a line snaked outside of the shop and down the sidewalk. People were willing to stand in line for a bagel and wee bit of civility.
Third, throughout this trip I had a number of conversations with more senior lawyers and staff in law firms, who consistently expressed concern with today’s "connected generation." One partner said she perceives that the newest lawyers entering law firms today believe they must be connected 24/7 via their BlackBerrys and cell phones. She expressed concern that the new lawyers are failing to spend adequate time thinking and reflecting.
What’s the solution? I suggested to the partner that she meet with the new associates who report to her and tell them up front, "Look, when you’re attending a training program, I expect you to turn your BlackBerrys off and give your full attention to the person who is leading the session. Same thing when you meet with me. Before you come into my office, turn your Blackberry off."
Having recently read about one teenager who logged in 6740 minutes on her cell phone and traded 1725 text messages in the course of one month (The Wall Street Journal, "How to Unplug Your Kids," October 27, 2005, page D4), I expect this problem will only get worse.
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