So sometime back I was at a client office to discuss a potential project. I was waiting for the manager in the cafeteria which was buzzing with the other employees. Suddenly, I heard someone call out my name and saw a girl approaching me. I didn’t recognize her, which is surprising especially because she is cute. I am not saying that I am shallow and just into the aesthetic appeal, but good looks are not easy to miss.
She came to my table and my puzzled response was visible on my face. With a smile on her face in an inquisitive tone, she said: “You do standup, right?”. This is the moment every ‘artist’ awaits for; a fan! Cloud nine is where I was, the feeling was indescribable. Finally, I understood how celebrities feel when fans surround them in daily life. Searching for a pen in my pockets, I responded in an overwhelming tone, “Yeah, which show did you come for?” She murmured,” Oh no, we met via a dating app, you came to my place and talked basically about your standup for the majority of the time”.
And my celebrity life came crashing down just like that. Although, the bigger concern is how could I not remember meeting someone altogether. I mean I do live a rockstar life with endless parties, and women; but that is mostly just in my head. Anyhow, I covered up by saying “I am sure we had a great time, you seem amazing”. She rebuked with a straight face “Not really, I would have been better off without it”.
Anyway, coming to the MBA concept of the ‘Anchoring Effect‘. In the early ’70s, behavioral economists had defined the term “anchoring”. It is basically the tendency to rely on the first information one receives and use that to make it an anchor in decision-making. Once the anchor is set, all decisions are made according to it, regardless of whether it makes sense or not. These anchors are all across the consumer market, some examples: supermarkets where they have 2 pricing labels showing (as if “by mistake”) the older price and the current one; when buying a car – the initial price offered to be the anchor. Even in the job market, this happens when a potential employee’s compensation is anchored on his previous salary, thus not taking into account the competencies, role fitment, and the potential value to add to the company.
That brings me to the déjà vu girl. I took a project with the firm, and ironically, she ended up on my team. We worked closely over the next couple of months and became great friends. So much for online dating platforms. Another team member met her fiancé through a dating app a couple of years ago. I met people off apps too, and realized that for a meaningful long-term connection, letting things build organically works best. Apps are great for meeting new people based on mutual interest, and in today’s virtual world, they’re likely how millennials make human connections.
Especially, right now with the COVID outbreak, use the online platforms to filter through potential dates, interact with like-minded individuals, network, make new friends, and who knows maybe swipe right into your ‘happily ever after’ life.
Later,
Sidhant
