I spent the entire day wandering around Berlin in a pencil skirt and heels, not to mention uncomfortable Ralph Lauren shoes that weren’t made for walking.

My parents met up with an old friend still living in Berlin, and he invited us to dinner. He is a producer of a well-known television show in Germany, so I figured it would be a good opportunity for me to make new connections and practice networking. I didn’t want to overdo it by wearing a full-on business suit; I wanted to project classiness, so I chose my Robert Rodriguez pencil skirt that I’d gotten from 365hangers and a light pink shirt with small sleeves and buttons down the front. I chose small, gold hoop earrings, a matching necklace and a slight touch of Chanel’s Mademoiselle perfume.

I shouldn’t have worn the Ralph Lauren shoes. Who could have known that we would get lost trying to find the restaurant and that we wouldn’t turn to taxis for help? Still, I held in all of my frustration, despite ending up with small blisters on my feet; but I was most upset that my heels were now slightly run-down from the pavement. Sigh. But, being a grown-up, I wasn’t going to let a pair of shoes ruin my evening, so I forced a smile and reminded myself that I was on vacation. It was worth it. The night was a success. I was able to practice my German, and I learned some of the similarities and differences between the television industries in the US versus Europe. I realized that it’s about “who you know” and your connections that will get you in the door in the US, while in Europe it’s based more on your experience. In the US it helps to be experienced, but knowing the right people is more vital.

I was so relieved afterwards. I would have felt much more nervous and anxious if I had worn a business suit; it would have felt like an interview! Wearing jeans would have made me feel “too casual,” and I wouldn’t have been able to talk about my career as efficiently as I did. I finished the dinner with his business card in my hand. I just hope he didn’t notice that my shoes were off under the table…

Love always,
Mia