You have probably observed that some people will reveal more intimate details to strangers than they do to close associates.
Many bureaucrats love to talk about themselves and about the problems of working in an environment where one must always be on the defensive, how they suffer put-downs by bosses and competitive colleagues, how survival is gaining seniority while staying out of trouble and how performing well on the job has little or no value in promotions.
This is a phenomenon that can be exploited to soften a bureaucrat's stance towards you. Exploiting will gain a degree of intimacy that fosters a temporary bond of friendship. In the extreme it serves to disarm the bureaucrat.
Take care to proceed with caution because such intimacy can be fraught with dangers. It could backfire with dire circumstances.
Given your own set of personal values, you can either employ this tactic with the utmost sincerity or you can engage in superior acting.
You know how you encourage intimacy by sidling up to a person while both are facing in the same direction. The same can be done with words.
Remain sensitive to any signs of uncomfortableness on the part of the bureaucrat.
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