A gala’s sparkle is a perfect mask for a deal—people’re so busy admiring the chandeliers they forget the boardroom is in the next room. Flip the narrative: use the luxury to set the tone, make them feel important, then slip in the terms. The key is to let the opulence be the bait, not the catch. Keep it light, keep the agenda clear, and watch the power shift as soon as the last glass clinks.

Nice metaphor, but remember the glass can shatter if you’re not careful. Keep the champagne flowing, but have your legal clause on standby like a secondhanded glass. Trust the crystal, not the people.