I call this "Read the room" its good advice in any environment. Way funnier when told like this.
a very loudmouth redneck fellow at work I try to avoid, ended up having to help me with a maintenance project. so I was stuck with him. and thought, well Id better get along with him so this gets done fast. Guy had me in tears.
We chat...we realize him and my dad were on the same dock in vietnam or korea i forget...pretty cool really. he starts telling me this story of Vietnam. (my dad told me some but I was grossed out and stopped listening after a few years
)
THe story goes.... he had just got to vietnam he was 23. Been there a few days, decides to visit the bar for the first time. Bars over there in the 60's arent like bars here... everyones a hooker
So he goes in sits down, I have no interest in knowing what else he does... says he was there for a couple hours.
He sees a young private, just 19 from his regiment across the room all by himself. women keep talking to him, but he just sits... and waits drinking cheap beer. Finally, my coworker goes and sits by him, and asks WTF. "why you still sittin here all day, youve been in here since 10am, its 2 oclock"
the younger private says:
"the chick behind the bar, she's been here since 7am, had 9 tricks, the waitress at the jukebox, shes been here since 10, and had 5. The girl at the door has a rash on her lip, the woman at the back just came out of the back room with two huge mexicans..... and didnt shower. the lady at the cash register...she worked all night, and I think shes a he"
"ok, so what- lets get out of here we got sh!t to do" my coworker says
"no, man! Im still READING THE ROOM. the girl to your right...the cute one walking towards my table right now....yeah she Just started for the day, Ill be right back, the beers on me-remember.. ALWAYS read the room"
SOldier 5 yrs his junior leaves him with a 20 and a rubber on the table and a genius life lesson... and then never saw the guy again. Didn't make it outta the war I guess.
see? good advice for any situation