“Somehow I expected more,” said Philippe. “I really thought it would be better. It had all the telltale signs. The quivering lip. The little eyes flickering around the office to see if anyone was watching. The guy was an amateur but I was also a little nervous too, which didn’t help. It all comes down to experience, on both sides. These days I love it. You learn to be in the right position, set things up right. With novices you need to be somewhere quiet. They get real nervous in crowds. But hey, I’ve known some brownnosers, absolute pros, who will do it anywhere. They'll brownnose you right in front of their wives! In fact, they enjoy it more if they’ve got an audience!

Does brownnosing have a place in the office? Sure. It’s an important part of the business structure. I mean you’re out there putting your neck on the line for these people. What’s wrong with them wanting to give something back? It empowers them. It empowers me. It makes us all feel part of the same pack.”