My mother-in-law stood at the top of the grassy slope, dishing out investment advice in a very loud voice. Meanwhile, in the distance, I could see my former colleagues holding their Wednesday afternoon research meeting.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants came towards us – some on foot, some on bicycles. All but one completely ignored me. The single exception was a former PhD student. She explained that the colleagues did not appreciate my mother-in-law’s interruptions to their business.