JJ blogs from the pub…
How to Become a Coach. Coaching Business Advice with JJ Jalopy.
Hi there!
I’m impressed! How did you find me here?
An Englishman’s hiding place is the pub. That’s where I am now.
The pub is something that the English do really well.
Imagine taking a bar, lifting it out of the building it lives in, and then putting it down in your living room.
Now add a fire, a wet dog, flat beer and dubiously-shaped salty snacks.
That’s an English pub.
Allow me to buy you a beer and we’ll chat.
A pint of bitter please.
Now, there is a commonly accepted and well defined English pub etiquette. You should know about it before we go on.
The concept of the round is important. When two or more drinkers are in the pub, they drink in rounds.
As I was the first in the pub, and the first to offer, I bought the first drinks for all of you.
The next person to finish their drink will buy next round of drinks for everyone else. You order at the bar. It’s not obligatory to talk about the weather with the bearded drunk guy at the bar, but it is expected. This man is called a regular. His antisocial drunken behavior is overlooked because he comes here a lot. He has earned the privilege to misbehave through attrition alone.
Hasn't the weather been terrible?
The round system is designed to reduce crowding at the bar. It doesn’t always work because English people have a tendency to stand up and drink even though there are seats and tables free. It’s strange, but what can you do?
So we’ve got the basics down.
Let’s touch on the guidelines regarding pub conversation.
If there is important conversation that needs to be had, it is talked about first.
Then it is put away and the remainder of the evening is dedicated to idle chatter, stories and jokes.
Let’s get the important conversation out of the way…
As part of my coach mentoring service I provide ongoing email support to all my clients. They often send me quick email questions, and I enjoy answering them.
Here’s a question I receive a lot…
Question: “How do I get testimonials from my clients?”
Answer: “You ask for them!”
Okay, okay. Whilst that may be good advice to a point, I realize that it’s only of so much value to you. We’ll be discussing how to get good testimonials in the coming weeks. For now, though it’s time for Pub Conversation Phase II: Idle Chatter.
When we first met, I mentioned that I had learned a lot from not reading the book Feel the fear and do it anyway, as the title had told me everything I needed to know.
Let’s spend a while thinking of other books we won’t bother reading…
I’ll go first:
Work like you’re showing off – Joe Calloway
Do what you love, the money will follow – Marsha Sinetar
Any more?
Rob – it’s your round! Shall we get some peanuts?
We’ll talk shop again tomorrow.
Until then… Cheers! 
JJ Jalopy.
Comment by Avery
9 April 2009
Mine’s an Old Speckled Hen!
Comment by John Ho
9 April 2009
Drinking and doing rounds (shouts) is also part of the culture in Australia.
Q: How do you give (street) directions to person in Australia?
A: By telling them the names of the pubs (watering holes).
John Ho
Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion (WordPress)
Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion (Vox Blog)
Comment by Yann Vernier - ProfitsTactics.com
9 April 2009
Dude, I wish you were here to teach me pub etiquette when I moved to the UK 11 years ago.
Naturally, I learned very quickly though!
Now, how about this book?
“Shut Up, Stop Whining, and Get a Life” – Larry Winget
Cooler than cool post.
All the best,
Yann
Comment by Sonya Lenzo
9 April 2009
All you ever need to know about golf
Cooking Naked
Travel the World on Your Bycycle
Open Marriage
Anything by Martha Stewart
Sunny Marie
Glamour and Glitz
http://www.sunnymarie.wordpress.com
Comment by JJ Jalopy
9 April 2009
“Hic!”
Goodnight everyone!
JJ
Comment by Steve Chambers
10 April 2009
Here is America we drink in shot’s, at least those of us who are serious. First I buy the shots, then you buy them. Pretty soon we will talk about anything with the added advantage that we won’t remember what we were talking about the next day.
But then again we were founded by Puritans!
Steve
Comment by Christian Haller
10 April 2009
I do look forward to how to effectively solicit testimonials. Jsut aksing rarely gets what you want I have found.
Appreciate the info on pub protocol. They way you decribe it, my study is a pub – except I don’t charge and the anti-social behavior is generally mine.
Christian
Comment by Lynn Lane
10 April 2009
JJ,
Thanks for the beer.
Timing Is Everything – Denis Waitley
Lynn Lane
http://www.Warriorofsuccess.com
Comment by Bob Kaufer
10 April 2009
If Rob is buying, then I am in.
Thanks JJ
Bob Kaufer
Z Health For Life
Comment by Marion
10 April 2009
Cheers!
Comment by Jennifer Battaglino
10 April 2009
Is there a field where testimonials backfire? Are they always effective?
Just thought I would pick your brain, it is an interesting one!
Jen B
The Harwood Center – Tinnitus, Chronic Illness, Fers, Phobias, and Anxiety
Comment by JC MacKenzie
10 April 2009
Work like you’re showing off… i like that, I’ll have to check that out
Great post as always
Thanks
JC JC
Comment by Duane Cunningham
10 April 2009
Hey JJ,
I was wondering when you would get to the favorite past time of all those Poms and Aussies!! And Us Aussies (well Im a Kiwi!) even have a pub over in the UK that we think is pretty famous and all the travelers who go to the UK just have to go to “The Walk About” Pub
Me…I don’t drink but I have been in a Pub mind you and loved your accurate description of pub culture!
Books not to read….Hmmmm…
“I know Kevin will agree with this “Don’t sweet the small stuff”
One everyone should read is called “The Game” by Neil Strauss its just a hoot!
Duane
Learn Winning Persuasion
Techniques that Work Like Magic by Tapping Into the Psychology of
the Mind with Persuasion Expert Duane Cunningham!
Comment by mark mallen
10 April 2009
Love the bitter beer! You certainly like showing life’s pleasures. Waiting for the picture of the naked lady. (just joking ladies, well, kinda joking). Mark
Marketingscoops
Glacier Ice Cream
Comment by Lisa McLellan
10 April 2009
I know I’m a girl, but I want to come too! I kind of like girly beer though. Triple black is my favorite flavor. I bet nobody drinks that in English pubs!
Lisa McLellan, Child Care Expert – Babysitters, Nannies, and Au-pairs
Comment by Don Shepherd
10 April 2009
Make mine a guiness.
as for books.. most anything any politician wrote.
Don Shepherd
oregon or bust
Comment by Tim
10 April 2009
Earn it? The referral, the beer you just rent. Maybe write the thing and get’em to sign it. Best thing is a audio or video, after you treat’em to a round at the Pub.
Comment by Philip
10 April 2009
Another fun post. Your posts are always good. All you need now is a better-looking website: some testimonials, good links, an easy way to find information in your blogs, some good tools and resources. Hit it out of the park JJ!
Comment by Rob Northrup
10 April 2009
I’ll have a Boddie’s and a pack of Hedgehog flavored crisps please.
And I haven’t got any good titles to add since I’m away from the books for a few more days…
I’d like to recommend How to Get Rich by Felix Dennis though if anyone hasn’t already read it, and Losing My Virgin-ity by RIchard Branson.
Seize the Day,
Rob
Sales Eagles Soar Above the Competition?
Personal Asset Protection For Small Business Owners
Comment by Philip Graves
10 April 2009
I’ll have half a Guinness, because I’m not a big drinker, but then I’ll pour it into my pint glass from the round before, because I don’t want to appear effeminate.
I do like Prawn Cocktail crisps though. Buy the bag, split down the side and leave it in the middle of the table so as to appear generous, whilst safe in the knowledge that the odds are no one else will want any.
Books you don’t need to read, you say? Screw It, Let’s Do It by Richard Branson (no nead to read it and it’s only about 30 pages long anyway – how did he get THAT published?)
Philip
Consumer Behaviour Expert
[The Consumer Behaviour Research Resource]
Comment by Pat
10 April 2009
Been awhile since I did the pubs. Pub conversation sounds like more fun than the attitude in the glitzy singles bars of LA. Do enjoy looking at the names of the small brewery beers. How about Wild Weasel? Wonder what that’s like.
-Pat
Business Owners Fast Track to Internet Profits
Comment by Darryl Pace
10 April 2009
JJ,
Great post as usual. Hmm. A book I enjoyed and used information from is Kevin Hogan’s “Talk Your Way to the Top”.
Health, Fitness — Darryl Pace
Comment by April Braswell
10 April 2009
and SPORTS
let’s not forget SPORTS
one must mention interject a football comment.
those refs don’t know what they’re doing
I canNOT believe they didn’t see or call that
I canNOT beLIEVE they DID call that. WHat were they thinking.
SOmetimes when I am speaking in public I receive testimonials from the audience. Only I didn’t recognize it as a testimonial for the first few months of my doing this. Because I wasn’t thinking of them as clients and they would be delivered as a compliment.
THen I started to realize.
Oh
A compliment…. heyyyyyyyyyyyyy
that IS a testimonial.
Duh
(thunk against side of head)
Well, now I recognize them and ask them to repeat that to my digital camera or we write it down.
Live and learn
Even though many think I am SO savvy about dating, business and personal relationship building, even I can have a blind spot and be obtuse. Then I learn.
All the best,
April Braswell
Dating Expert and Relationship Coach
Online Dating Sites Review, Internet Dating Sites Guide
Comment by Pam Schulz
11 April 2009
JJ- Your writing style/photos added, etc. always makes me feel as though we are sitting down with a good drink in hand and chatting. What a great gift for a life coach!
I am looking forward to getting your advice on how to get testimonials.
Please pass the peanuts!
Pam
http://www.greatwealth.com
Comment by David Power
20 April 2009
Love the design of your theme!!!
Expert in Medical Hypnosis, Success Thinking and Practical Parenting
David Power’s Hour