Blogs and InsightsThe Power of Food in Conversation
The Power of Food in Conversation
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John Kuhel
john@alltekstaffing.com
412-701-9026
https://referrals.bestinrecruiting.com/join/jkuhel2Share
3 min read
Every day as recruiters, we talk to dozens of people, some are clients, some are candidates, some we know well, and others we’re speaking with for the very first time. In each interaction, we have a choice to be a robot going through the motions, or we can be a real person who takes the time to build genuine rapport and make a connection.
It’s not always easy to find common ground…
You’d think in Pittsburgh it’s easy to find common ground just talk about the Steelers… Not so fast, it’s extremely rare to find Yinzers that agree on anything Steelers and don’t even try to talk college sports in this town.
EVERYBODY EATS and people love talking about food.
There are some easy questions you can ask when beginning this rapport building strategy.
- I’m looking for some inspiration…What jeeting for lunch?
- When you find out someone is from another part of the country…What is popular in the local cuisine?
- Ask about favorite restaurants in their area of town (Hidden Gems)
- Offer advice to folks that are new to the area.
MY Italian Ice Breaker - RITA’S
In Philadelphia, Rita’s is practically more famous than Rocky, and Italian Ice isn’t just a dessert, it’s a way of life. But on this side of the state, Italian Ice used to feel more like a fantasy than a realistic post-meal treat.
That all changed in the summer of 2026 when Rita’s opened in our neighborhood.
Once I discovered this new love for Italian Ice, I couldn’t stop talking about it. I talked about it in the office, on the phone, and with just about anyone who crossed my path. It didn’t matter who they were or how the conversation started somehow, Rita’s and Italian Ice always found their way into it.
My conversations may have shifted from lunch to dessert, but the conversations kept flowing because people love talking about food. More importantly, it gave me an easy, natural way to connect with people without making every interaction feel like a transaction.
If you want to become more conversational and less transactional, it doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t have to look much further than your own dinner table to find your own “Italian Ice Breaker” something simple, genuine, and easy to talk about that can turn an everyday interaction into a real conversation.
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