Can a funeral ever be considered a "networking" opportunity?

Flint · 08-05-2009, 03:26 PM

Of course, I don't mean going up to people and giving them your business card, but if the thought occurs to you "alot of industry people I haven't seen in a while will be there" does that make you a bad person?

Cloud · 08-05-2009, 03:36 PM

Does it make you a bad person? If it's a close family member--probably. If it's just an acquaintance--probably not.

Funerals are for the living, and it's one of the ways we cement our personal relationships. Business relationships are an extension of that, but if it's your grandmother's funeral or something, you should be concentrating on her and your family, and not your business.

Clodfobble · 08-05-2009, 03:37 PM

I vote that it doesn't. Lots of people think of funerals as an excuse to get together with relatives they wouldn't otherwise see very often. All social gatherings are forms of networking, IMHO.

Sheldonrs · 08-05-2009, 04:00 PM

It depends on how you approach it. If, as they lower the coffin into the grave you start the conversation with "And speaking of being in the hole..." it might be considered tacky.

SteveDallas · 08-05-2009, 04:50 PM

ObTasteless: It depends on how young & attractive the widow is.

Aliantha · 08-05-2009, 05:19 PM

There's always chatter after the funeral where people talk about themselves and what they've been up to. If that leads to something else then where's the problem?

At the funeral I was at during the week we were all discussing what to do about the business because the person who died was the manager. Names were tossed about and all the rest of it. Maybe that was bad taste, but when it all comes down to it, the business needs to keep running as smoothly as possible because other people rely on it as their source of income.

Anyway, networking is just talking and putting yourself out there. There's nothing wrong with that under any circumstance imo.

ZenGum · 08-05-2009, 09:25 PM

Haven't you seen Yes, Prime Minister?

A good international funeral is worth a month of high level meetings.

Alluvial · 08-06-2009, 07:33 AM

I don't think it makes you a bad person, but maybe it shouldn't be the only reason you attend.

TheMercenary · 08-06-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

Of course, I don't mean going up to people and giving them your business card, but if the thought occurs to you "alot of industry people I haven't seen in a while will be there" does that make you a bad person?

Come with a stack of resumes, pass them out or leave them next to the little memorial cards people can pick up about the dead person. You are bound to be a hit and it will at least get everyone to start talking about you.

Cloud · 08-06-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveDallas

ObTasteless: It depends on how young & attractive the widow is.

or; it depends on who you murder!

Radar · 08-09-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

Of course, I don't mean going up to people and giving them your business card, but if the thought occurs to you "alot of industry people I haven't seen in a while will be there" does that make you a bad person?

A funeral means there's a job opening somewhere. Why not network.

Shawnee123 · 08-10-2009, 12:37 PM

It depends on the business, I think. For example:

Funeral Patron: He looks good, so peaceful...

You: Yeah, that's not a bad looking stiff. Speaking of stiffs, do you suffer from erectile dysfunction? We don't have to discuss this right now: here's my card.

depmats · 08-10-2009, 01:03 PM

Life is a networking opportunity and funerals are for the living.

Sheldonrs · 08-10-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depmats

...funerals are for the living.

YOU SICK BASTARD!!!!

Flint · 08-10-2009, 02:39 PM

I spent the whole time avoiding eye contact.

08-05-2009, 03:26 PM	#1
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Can a funeral ever be considered a "networking" opportunity? Of course, I don't mean going up to people and giving them your business card, but if the thought occurs to you "alot of industry people I haven't seen in a while will be there" does that make you a bad person? __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

08-05-2009, 03:36 PM	#2
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Does it make you a bad person? If it's a close family member--probably. If it's just an acquaintance--probably not. Funerals are for the living, and it's one of the ways we cement our personal relationships. Business relationships are an extension of that, but if it's your grandmother's funeral or something, you should be concentrating on her and your family, and not your business. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

08-05-2009, 03:37 PM	#3
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	I vote that it doesn't. Lots of people think of funerals as an excuse to get together with relatives they wouldn't otherwise see very often. All social gatherings are forms of networking, IMHO. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

08-05-2009, 04:00 PM	#4
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	It depends on how you approach it. If, as they lower the coffin into the grave you start the conversation with "And speaking of being in the hole..." it might be considered tacky. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

08-05-2009, 05:19 PM	#6
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	There's always chatter after the funeral where people talk about themselves and what they've been up to. If that leads to something else then where's the problem? At the funeral I was at during the week we were all discussing what to do about the business because the person who died was the manager. Names were tossed about and all the rest of it. Maybe that was bad taste, but when it all comes down to it, the business needs to keep running as smoothly as possible because other people rely on it as their source of income. Anyway, networking is just talking and putting yourself out there. There's nothing wrong with that under any circumstance imo. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

08-05-2009, 04:50 PM	#5
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	ObTasteless: It depends on how young & attractive the widow is.

08-05-2009, 09:25 PM	#7
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Haven't you seen Yes, Prime Minister? A good international funeral is worth a month of high level meetings. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

08-06-2009, 07:33 AM	#8
Alluvial Phenomenologist Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Central Mississippi Posts: 270	I don't think it makes you a bad person, but maybe it shouldn't be the only reason you attend. __________________ “My grandfather always said that living is like licking honey off a thorn.” - Louis Adamic

08-10-2009, 12:37 PM	#12
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	It depends on the business, I think. For example: Funeral Patron: He looks good, so peaceful... You: Yeah, that's not a bad looking stiff. Speaking of stiffs, do you suffer from erectile dysfunction? We don't have to discuss this right now: here's my card. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

08-10-2009, 01:03 PM	#13
depmats Major Inhabitant Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 124	Life is a networking opportunity and funerals are for the living.

08-10-2009, 02:39 PM	#15
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	I spent the whole time avoiding eye contact. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

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