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Questions others have asked |
What is Great Conversations all about?
Who goes to Great Conversations evenings?
What do we talk about?
Where do Great Conversations take place, and how often?
How much does it cost?
What is the programme of events?
Is there a
discount for groups?
What is the dress code?
What happens if the conversation
moves into negative or uncomfortable areas?
What happens if someone becomes disruptive?
Is there any other risk attached to attending Great
Conversations?
Is there anything else you’d like to know?
Submit your question and we’ll respond to you shortly.
What is
Great Conversations all about?
Great Conversations was created as a safe way for people to
widen their circle of friends, whilst enjoying a highly
entertaining evening of social interaction with likeminded
people, over a Great Meal.
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Who goes
to Great Conversations evenings?
Anyone with a good sense of humour, who enjoys meeting new
people, stimulating, thought-provoking conversation, and
good food. People who enjoy diversity and want to learn
more about others, themselves, and life in general. Come on
your own, as many of our guests do. Or bring a partner, a
colleague, a friend - or a few friends! Eight to
twelve guests are
seated at each table, with a maximum of 150 guests per event
– depending on the venue, numbers may be further
restricted.
As one of the main objectives of Great Conversations is to
meet new people, no more than three guests per party will be
seated at the same table. However should you wish to
specifically reserve your own table of ten people for a
special occasion, we will be happy to accommodate you.
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What do we talk about?
Topics vary widely, but have common
threads in that they are always attention-grabbing,
entertaining and thought-provoking. The Conversation Leader
will speak for about 20-30 minutes, and then stop with a
provoking statement or question. The table guests pick
up with the conversation at this point, and continue through
the meal on their own.
Important: The conversations flow in their own
directions, and will usually end up totally off the point.
This is exactly how it should be! The purpose is to
enjoy them. There are however a couple of things to
bear in mind:
-
At all times please show respect and consideration for
other guests
-
Please engage positively and consciously steer away from
any form of negativity. The conversation should always
be upbeat and positive, even within the context of
potentially contentious subjects. The point of the
evening is, after all, that everybody enjoys themselves
and has a great time!
The intention is that the evening closes with everyone in an
upbeat and positive frame of mind!
We fully understand that for many people, this will be an
ideal platform to form useful business relationships.
However please bear in mind that this is a social
environment, and in order for everyone present to feel
comfortable, discussions of a business nature should rather
be scheduled between the parties concerned for a more
appropriate time.
Great
Conversations will be privately hosted by restaurants booked
for our exclusive use, which are known for their high
standards of food and service. Easy access and plentiful,
safe parking is a priority.
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Where do Great Conversations take place, and how often?
Restaurants are selected as Great Conversations venues on
the following criteria:
-
Ease of access, plentiful parking and safety of the
location
-
High standards of food and service –always selection of
meals, and most special meals requested in advance can
be accommodated
-
Great ambience
-
Acoustics
-
Security services
Great Conversations will take place every 3-4 weeks,
initially in a different venue within the greater
Johannesburg area. As it grows, specific areas will be
defined to make it easy for you to attend Great
Conversations evenings close to you. Licensing opportunities
exist, and in this way, Great Conversations will expand to
other areas of South Africa and beyond.
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How much does it cost?
A Great
Conversations Evening costs R285.00 per person. Good value
when you take into account that:
-
An excellent
three course meal is included, with a range of menu options
for you to choose from
-
The service
charge/tip is taken care of, so you don’t have to take this
into account
-
You’re dining
in the private dining room of one of the city’s top
restaurants
-
An interesting
speaker entertains you, and is available to chat to you
throughout the evening
-
To round off a
superb evening you could be the fortunate winner of one of
the lucky draw prizes
-
Your safety
and enjoyment has been taken into account every step of the
way
Compare this
to the cost of an evening out at a good restaurant for
dinner, before you add in the cover charge if there’s a
band, or a movie ticket. Let alone the ticket cost of a live
show or premier sporting event. Even a one hour facial or
massage costs more!
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What is the
programme of events?
19h30: Arrive
at the venue, register and take your seat. Tables are
pre-seated to ensure that you don’t always sit with the same
people. Couples and parties of up to three friends will be
seated at the same table. Parties of four or more friends
may be split between two tables, unless you specifically
request to sit together.
19h45:
Starters are served.
20h00:
Introduction of the Conversation Leader
for the evening, who introduces the topic of the evening .
20h30:
The Conversation Leader hands the topic
over to the tables to take over the discussion.
The main course is served, followed by
desert and coffee/tea.
22h00:
The conversations at the tables are
brought to an end, the Conversation Leader is acknowledged
and thanked, and lucky draws take place.
It’s up to you what you do hereafter: if you have to leave
we quite understand - otherwise stay on and chat some more,
visit the other tables…there’s no rush!
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Is there a discount
for groups?
For parties of six people booking together, pay for five and
one comes free.
Should you wish to book your own table of 8-12, please
contact us to check availability and pricing.
Special benefits apply to Great Conversation
VIP Members.
Refer to our
Membership page for further information
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What is
the dress code?
Smart Casual
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What happens if the conversation moves into negative or
uncomfortable areas?
Tables are self-monitoring, and should the conversation veer
onto topics which could be considered negative or
disrespectful, it would be appropriate for the other guests
at the table to bring this to the notice of the
person/people concerned, and move the conversation in
another direction.
Great Conversation personnel are present at all events, and
can be easily distinguished by their large, yellow name
badges. Together with the Conversation Leader, they are able
to assist in redirecting conversations at any point.
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What
happens if someone becomes disruptive?
The safety and enjoyment of all our guests is our primary
concern.
Should a guest become disruptive in any way
irrespective of the reason, security will be asked to assist
that person from the restaurant.
The person concerned will
be blacklisted from attending future events.
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Is there any other risk to attending Great Conversations?
It is our intention to make Great Conversations evenings as
safe and secure as possible. In so doing we have taken into
account the following:
-
Venues are easily accessible, and have plentiful parking in
well-lit areas with security guards present
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A supportive, fun environment in which to meet a wide
variety of people and widen your circle of friends
-
Rights of Admission are Reserved
Actually, there is more risk in not attending! Consider
this:
-
You could stay at home, bored, stuck in the same old
routine, doing what you always do …
-
You could remain stressed out of your mind, grim and tense
without the cure of laughter to relieve it and help you view
things differently …
-
You could leave it too late, and end up disappointed when
you find out that everyone else got in before you and the
evening is fully booked up …
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Is there anything else you’d like to know? Submit your question
and we’ll respond to you shortly.
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