Since I began working in public relations, I have learned that building relationships is an important aspect of the job. Whether forming connections with your client or a journalist, it is crucial that you get to know the individual’s needs in order to provide stories that are relevant and current in today’s media. During my time at Berkeley PR, I’ve noticed that a lot of these relationships are forged around meetings that involve food and drink, such as dining out at lunchtime or enjoying tea and cakes at a hotel.

As a Muslim, I am fasting from sunrise to sunset this month. I can’t help feeling this might hinder me a little in the relationships stakes. Picture the scene: I walk into a restaurant with my client and the journalist only to say “sorry but I’m not eating today, but help yourselves”. Not only do I make the client and journalist feel uncomfortable eating around me but I also make myself even more hungry!

As with any problem, however, there’s always a way around it - maybe I just need to be a little bit more creative with my journalist and client meetings. A walk in the park, perhaps? Or arrange to meet at a museum or art gallery? In any case, I think I’ll have to banish myself from food-orientated meetings this month, unless clients and journalists don’t mind meeting me at 19.44, when the sun sets.

Lynda Tahri