It's a long game I suppose. Get people comfortable and then when I do something wrong I appear blameless in the face of it.

Back when I worked in a previous job I always turned up to work half an hour early.

I did this for a month and this allowed me to leave earlier. But once people were comfortable with me turning up early and showing my dedicated work ethic all I had to do was turn up before everyone else and claim I turned up much earlier.

Just layers of manipulation and setting ground work.

The drinks thing is a more complex thing. Making people feel like I respect them more than I really do and getting favour in that way. Then you cash in on this when needed. Subtle I suppose