When socializing it's important that you never talk business unless they bring it up. If you do, you'll find out quickly that you're no longer invited to any of the really good reindeer games. Rather, be a good listener.

They had a bit of a disagreement about what color to paint the bedroom, but they have reached a compromise.

pessimistic concurrency; pessimistic locking

Helder was also a visionary given to muddled, passionate harangues on immortality, astral projection and other esoterica.