A
male
age
51-59,
anonymous
writes:My friend has recently launched, although not opened yet, a new restaurant in our town.It's not a podunk town, but no big city either.The new restaurant specializes in Mexican food and take-out sandwiches / donuts (in a separate area for take-out).He wants to do something that he thinks hasn't been done before.As it is, he owns the restaurant but isn't involved in the day-to-day running of it, already has a manager there.What he wants to do is wants me to have a meal with him, his wife, my wife and my daughter, 26F, and also The President and his wife as well, before it opens for real.He thinks it'd be a good thing to have the President come to try out a meal at the restaurant, and it'd give him a breather from Ukraine war-related things. He also thinks it'd be good publicity too.What he said next though was a bit unsettling.He said that the President needed to ditch having any bodyguards and security or food-tasters so it could just be a meal with six people and restaurant staff.His reasoning was "surely the guy can be an ordinary man, good conversations, good food and drink, nice music, no worries about work and his image?"Wouldn't this be legally risky having the President do this sort of thing, or politically risky?What would be the consequences if a President did do such a thing?In general, is my friend risking too much for this idea?I've known my friend for 25 years now, he's a good friend. Normally he's not into these sorts of PR stunts.He's asking me for advice on etiquette around meeting with the President etc. and I can't help him on that!!I would like some advice on what to do here.It's great he invited me for the meal, I feel pleased and privileged he decided on this, but I'm also a bit concerned.What would you do? Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
reader, anonymous, writes (24 May 2022): If your friend really exists tell him not to set up his business. Anyone who really believes that the President would make time to visit him so that he can get free publicity is lacking enough brains and common sense to be able to set up and run a business that lasts longer than a week.
A
reader, anonymous, writes (24 May 2022): What is in it for the President to bother? Nothing. Just a lot of lost time, being bored to tears and maybe being poisoned.
It should have occurred to you that nobody important will eat just anywhere and anything in case the food is fiddled with and fatal. Turn your tiny brain on please.
...............................
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (24 May 2022): Dream on...And on...And on!
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (24 May 2022): I'm afraid having dinner with the President of the United States requires some extensive protocols for security reasons. You don't just invite the POTUS to dinner, minus his secret service protection. Not by his choice, but because of his office and matters of national security; he doesn't just randomly go out to sit and eat with people who haven't been properly vetted and cleared; simply for the sake of publicity. Although one president, I shall call no names, made it look as though the presidency is nothing but photo ops; I don't think your friend gets to call the shots, even if he accepted the invitation.
It is true that the president and other dignitaries may make impromptu stops at local businesses when passing through; but in real-life there is a lot more to it than meets the public eye.
I don't think he fully understands what it is he wants to do; and I think it is highly unlike it will ever come to fruition anyway.
...............................
A
female
reader, RitaBrown  +, writes (23 May 2022):
Just laugh uproariously and say "Nice one, buddy! Now pull the other one Trolly"
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (23 May 2022): What would I do if I were you ? I'd try to get into some hobby ,passtime or sport which could capture my attention and prevent me from bothering the nice people here at DC with my pesky ,silly , totally imaginary dilemmas.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (23 May 2022): Has your friend got dementia or friends in very high places?
You should be very concerned. Never mind about the restaurant idea, which is something and nothing, two a penny stuff really. But believing that the President would bother to come gets me. The President,whose time is worth a small fortune per minute,who has masses of work to do - plus has to worry about his precious spare time being frittered away on nonsense - plus has to think of bodyguards for his safety. If your friend wants publicity for his restaurant by inviting someone famous - guess what -the President will refuse at any price and he could not afford it - and he would have to invite a celebrity at an enormous cost.The odds are the celebrity is already fully booked for ages and cannot fit it in till next year anyway - if paid well - if with bodyguards. Coming to sample your friend's food would not rate as an exciting fun thing for them, they would do it for the money and no other reason. Remember these are people who get paid very well every time they go somewhere, a free meal is laughable.
...............................
|
