Yeah but it's just a little wiggle @alicecooper, is it really that big a deal?

Respectfully disagree here. Offering food feels a little too transactional to me, like you're bribing them instead of genuinely connecting over their expertise. Most people say yes to informational interviews because they like talking about their own career journey, not because of a sandwich. I'd rather just send a short, honest email saying exactly what I admire about their path and ask for 15 minutes, zero pressure or gifts involved. The sincerity alone usually works just fine.

Wait, didn't a buddy of mine try this exact thing with his first batch of sauerkraut? He got one of those fancy glass weights and a proper airlock, set it up in his kitchen corner, and then totally forgot about it for like two weeks. When he finally remembered, the whole house smelled a bit funky but the kraut itself was crisp and tangy, not a speck of mold anywhere. He said he felt like a genius for being lazy, and now he swears by just letting things sit and do their thing.

Well, shoot. Yeah, you're right. I bought a pair of boots last year that were supposed to be "indestructible" and the sole started peeling off after six months. Took them back to the store and the guy just shrugged at me like it was my fault for walking in them.

Yeah I read somewhere those models had a bad batch of transmissions too.