GEN387 New or unforeseen situations can cause a person to become alarmed.  Therefore, if one wants to ask a favor from someone or influence him in some way, one must always tread lightly so that his words will not cause alarm or startle the other person.  For example, one should avoid engaging an acquaintance in a conversation about a complex topic when meeting him by chance in the street or in the beis midrash.  Rather, the most conducive atmosphere for a serious discussion is created by meeting at a prearranged location during a convenient hour.  This principle is derived from numerous sources. Masseches Derech Eretz (ch. 5) states: "One must never enter a friend's house unexpected." The Almighty Himself stood by the portal of Gan Eden and summoned Adam, as the verse says, [this verse]. (Continued at [[GEN502]] Genesis 4:9 where WAGS 118-9)  WAGS 118-20