Convincing Someone? Buy ’em a Hot Beverage.

 We all like to imagine that we are supremely objective, but, as it turns out, our behavior — and even our thought processes — are ridiculously easy to influence.

This great little article cites research that suggests, for example, that people holding a hot beverage in their hands are more likely to respond favorably to the person in front of them than people holding a cold drink. Pair that with similar research that finds caffeine makes us more open to suggestions, and you get a powerful behavioral hack: if you’re selling me something, buy me a coffee first. 

Also worth noting: putting a formal, business-like prop on a table (like, say, a briefcase) makes people cagier and more competitive, while a less formal prop (like a backpack) helps them drop their guard.