Dining across the divide: 'Zack Polanski is articulate and charismatic, rather like Boris Johnson'

Zack Polanski's rise as a potential UK government minister has raised eyebrows, with some likening his charismatic personality to that of Boris Johnson. But what about those who have met him in person? In London, two women from different ends of the political spectrum, Moira and Ruth, shared lunch at Le Petit Citron.

Moira, 76, is a retired Conservative voter who initially had doubts about Polanski's character due to his past as a hypnotist. However, she was surprised by his warm demeanor and open-mindedness during their conversation. "I wish I had been as charming, positive and powerful when I was her age," Moira said.

Ruth, 30, is a London-based consultancy expert who identifies as a left-wing Green Party supporter. She finds Polanski's enthusiasm for tackling social issues on the left side of the spectrum refreshing and believes he has a unique ability to speak to people from different backgrounds. "He's not trying to present himself as an expert but rather saying what he genuinely thinks," Ruth observed.

While there are concerns about his experience with economics, both women agree that Polanski is eager to learn and engage in discussions. The key takeaway from their lunch meeting was the importance of maintaining civility and respect, even when disagreeing on sensitive topics.

Their conversation highlights the need for cross-party dialogue and empathy, as Moira noted, "The Irish don't fall out with each other over opposing opinions; it's partly because of space." Ruth added that she didn't expect to find someone from her own political background so likable and open-minded.

just saw this article about zack polanski and i gotta say his charisma is def real but what's wild is how ppl are perceiving him compared to boris johnson anyway, met 2 ladies at le petit citron who had lunch with him and now im curious about his views lol moira the conservative lady seemed really charmed by him and said she wishes she was as cool as him when she was her age meanwhile ruth from the green party saw something refreshing in his approach to social issues btw, i think the key takeaway is how important it is to maintain civility even when u disagree

I'm not sure how refreshing his enthusiasm for social issues is, especially when you consider the history of politicians making grand promises that don't quite live up to reality . That being said, it's awesome that Moira was surprised by Polanski's warm demeanor and open-mindedness – it's a great reminder that we shouldn't judge someone based on past controversies alone. What's also interesting is how Ruth found his willingness to listen and discuss without trying to present himself as an expert really refreshing . It makes me wonder, though, whether his lack of experience in economics might be a blind spot for some people...

I'm surprised no one's mentioned the elephant in the room – his hypnotist past Still, Moira seems genuinely charmed by him & Ruth appreciates his authenticity . Can't deny Polanski's got charisma, but has he got the substance to back it up? Also, what's with all these left-right politics vibes? Maybe we should focus on finding common ground instead of who's more 'likable'

I'm not sure I'm sold on this whole Polanski as government minister thing yet... I mean, don't get me wrong, he's got a certain charm, but let's be real, we're talking about someone with a past in the hypnotic arts here . That's some pretty shady stuff if you ask me. And what really gets my gears turning is how quickly he's being hailed as some kind of cross-party hero just because he's willing to have an open mind and engage in discussions . It's all well and good, but I need to see more substance before I start high-fiving him about his policy proposals .

omg u guys I met this guy Zack Polanski at my cousin's wedding last month he was literally charming as all get out but what really blew me away was his passion for social issues I'm more of a liberal myself but I can see why people from different sides would be drawn to him he's got that "can't wait to change the world" vibe lol anyway I have to say though that my ex who's also a bit of a free spirit told me about him and said he's been trying to make connections with people across the parties which is really cool to see in today's climate

I'm not sure what to make of Zack Polanski's rapid rise to being considered for a UK government minister spot . On one hand, his charisma and ability to connect with people across the political spectrum are definitely assets. I mean, who wouldn't want someone who can charm their way into making progress on important issues? But what really got me is that two women from different sides of the political fence had such a positive conversation with him over lunch .

Moira's story about being charmed by his warm demeanor and openness really resonated with me. And Ruth's comment about him not trying to present himself as an expert but genuinely speaking from his heart is so refreshing . The takeaway for me is that cross-party dialogue and empathy are crucial in building trust and finding common ground . It's not just about having different opinions; it's about being willing to listen and understand where others are coming from.

I'm curious to see how Polanski would engage with the public on these issues, especially when it comes to economic policy . But for now, I think his willingness to learn and engage in discussions is a good starting point .

lol, can you believe the contrast between their views on Polanski? I mean, Moira went from being skeptical about his character to being super impressed with his warm vibes... it's like he was born in the wrong party lol. And Ruth just loves how down-to-earth and genuine he is! It's crazy how two people from opposite ends of the spectrum can have such a great time chatting about sensitive topics.

I'm not sure if Polanski has all the answers, but I do think his enthusiasm for tackling social issues on both sides of the spectrum is a good thing. Let's hope he keeps that civility and respect when he becomes a minister... fingers crossed . And can we talk about how refreshing it is to see someone from the opposition being likable and open-minded? I'm kinda rooting for Polanski now, don't @ me lol.

I think this whole story is kinda refreshing! I mean, we're always hearing about how divisive politics can be, but these two women having a chill lunch together despite being on opposite sides of the spectrum? That's what we need more of - less drama and more dialogue . And let's be real, who wouldn't want to meet someone as charismatic as Zack Polanski? His warm demeanor and willingness to listen is like a breath of fresh air . It just goes to show that even in politics, it's all about finding common ground and treating each other with respect .

Ugh, this is gonna be a disaster... I mean, Polanski as a potential minister? His past as a hypnotist already raises some weird red flags, but what's next? A charisma contest with Boris Johnson? I'm not convinced either way, Moira and Ruth seem nice, but let's not get too carried away here. I bet there's more to the story than meets the eye...

I'm loving the vibe of Zack Polanski's charm! He seems like a breath of fresh air in politics, you know? I mean, who wouldn't want someone with charisma on their team? From what I've seen online, he comes across as pretty down-to-earth and willing to listen. But it's awesome that there are people from different sides of the aisle having real conversations and finding common ground! That lunch meeting at Le Petit Citron sounds like a great example of how civility can prevail, even when you don't see eye-to-eye. Can we get more of this kind of stuff in politics?

I think what's really interesting here is how people perceive the same person, especially when you're already predisposed to having a certain opinion about them. Moira was initially skeptical of Polanski due to his past, but she was won over by his warm personality and willingness to listen. Meanwhile, Ruth comes from a completely different background, but she sees something in Polanski that resonates with her own values.

What I think is really valuable here is the conversation itself, not just the person's ideas or policies. When both Moira and Ruth can engage in a respectful discussion, even when they disagree, it shows that Polanski is willing to listen and learn. That's a quality that's desperately needed in politics right now.

It also makes me think about how we approach people from different backgrounds or with different opinions. We often assume that someone who agrees with us on one issue will necessarily agree on all issues. But the reality is, people are complex and multifaceted, and what might be a deal-breaker for some people is actually something to be admired in others.

Overall, I think this conversation is a great example of why cross-party dialogue is so important. We need more moments like this where we can put aside our differences and have real conversations about the issues that matter.

I'm intrigued by this whole thing . So Polanski is like a breath of fresh air, I guess. But what really gets me is how both women from different ends of the spectrum were able to see beyond his past and have a civil conversation about it. It's not often you hear stories about people being genuinely open-minded like that .

And I gotta say, Ruth's comment about Polanski not trying to present himself as an expert but rather speaking from the heart really resonates with me . We need more of that kind of authenticity in politics right now. Plus, Moira's observation about maintaining civility and respect even when disagreeing is so true .

It's funny how it's always easier for politicians to portray themselves as one thing on the campaign trail but then surprise us with who they actually are behind closed doors . Either way, I think this story shows that there's still space for constructive dialogue and empathy in politics .

omg u guys think polanski is gonna fit right in at 10 downing st like who is he 2 b tho lol but seriously tho i dunno wot 2 make of him 1 min he's all smiles & charm n the nxt he's spouting off about socialism lol what's good rn?