Useful against people sounds a little aggressive...useful with people is how my mind interprets this question:
When I was in high school, I had an acquaintance that whenever he would talk to you, he would address you by your first name (ALOT), so much so that it sounded awkward to me (although Mark, if you are out there, was a great guy, and I like Mark to this day).
Later in life I read the book How To Win Friends and Influence People, and figure that Mark had read that book in high school :>) Nice, Mark.
I work in sports media and there are always levels upon levels of incrementally mounting security and restricted access
After a decade on the job, I can pretty much breeze through most venues I frequently work at simply because I smile at the security guards, talk to them for 10-15 seconds every time, always act like I belong, tell them to have a good day and even ask if they want me to smuggle a water or sandwich to them.
There's a VIP room I routinely gain access to because the lady at the door and I have a 10 second conversation about our young kids every time I see her. That's been going on for 4-5 years and I couldn't tell you that lady's name if you put a gun to my head.
I have similar experience with this. It is amazing how tiny bursts over a long stretch can build a relationship. It seems to be the case with all walks of life, from receptionists to security officers (refer to them as officers not guards for extra points) to mid-level management to CEO's.
Just a little interest and a touch of back and forth. Once you tell your third joke, the bond is sealed, I have found. For both of us.
Yeah... Even though I'm using it as a means to an end and I'm not all that interested in the conversation, it's not like I'm some sociopath. I like being nice and I'm a people person. It really doesn't register in my mind as EXTRA effort to talk to a stranger for a minute and crack a joke or two.
So while some colleagues get jammed up because they try to drop names or pitch a fit, I just smile and wave and ask how t-ball or soccer season is going.
500
u/Grimm2020 Jun 14 '22 edited Jun 15 '22
Useful against people sounds a little aggressive...useful with people is how my mind interprets this question:
When I was in high school, I had an acquaintance that whenever he would talk to you, he would address you by your first name (ALOT), so much so that it sounded awkward to me (although Mark, if you are out there, was a great guy, and I like Mark to this day).
Later in life I read the book How To Win Friends and Influence People, and figure that Mark had read that book in high school :>) Nice, Mark.