gladhanding
Politician's warm welcome
Gladhanding is the practice of greeting people with exaggerated warmth and friendliness, typically to win favor or create a good impression.
The word carries connotations of insincerity—the politician working the room, shaking every hand, remembering no names: He spent the reception gladhanding donors.
The noun gladhand and verb gladhand share this sense of performative cordiality.
Charmingly persuasive in speech
- slickSmooth or craftily adept
- glibSuperficially articulate
- affableWarm and approachable
- ingratiatingSeeking favor through flattery
persuasive · flattery · disarming · charismatic · oleaginous · unctuous · smarmy · schmoozy
Fraudulent person or thing
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- feignedFalsely displayed or simulated
- artificialMade, not natural
- deceptiveCreating false impressions
pretense · hypocritical · insincere · two-faced · duplicitous · hollow · empty · superficial
Relationships between things
- mixersCombination devices or gatherings
- conferencesOrganized professional assemblies
- schmoozingCasual strategic socializing
- minglingCasual social interaction
contacts · meetups · receptions · galas · fundraisers · circulating · introductions · dealmaking
Actively pursuing political support
- stumpingCampaigning for office
- fundraisingSoliciting money for organizations
- constituentsParts of a whole
- ralliesGathers or recovers
photo-op · electioneering · canvassing · politicking · candidate · incumbent · backroom
Hospitable greeting offered
- salutationExpression of goodwill
- greetAcknowledge upon meeting
- waveOscillating motion through medium
- smilePleased facial expression
nod · backslap · embrace · reception · meet-and-greet · receiving line · doorway · entrance
smooth-talking
Charmingly persuasive in speech
ingratiating · persuasive · flattery · disarming · charismatic · oleaginous · unctuous · smarmy · schmoozy · effusive
phony
Fraudulent person or thing
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- feignedFalsely displayed or simulated
- artificialMade, not natural
deceptive · pretense · hypocritical · insincere · two-faced · duplicitous · hollow · empty · superficial · performative
connections
Relationships between things
- mixersCombination devices or gatherings
- conferencesOrganized professional assemblies
- schmoozingCasual strategic socializing
mingling · contacts · meetups · receptions · galas · fundraisers · circulating · introductions · dealmaking · power-broker
campaigning
Actively pursuing political support
- stumpingCampaigning for office
- fundraisingSoliciting money for organizations
- constituentsParts of a whole
rallies · photo-op · electioneering · canvassing · politicking · candidate · incumbent · backroom
welcome
Hospitable greeting offered
- salutationExpression of goodwill
- greetAcknowledge upon meeting
- waveOscillating motion through medium
smile · nod · backslap · embrace · reception · meet-and-greet · receiving line · doorway · entrance · threshold
gladhandingsincerity
Honest, unfeigned genuineness
authenticity · unpretentious · guileless · earnestness · candor
gladhandingcoldness
Low temperature state
aloofness · standoffishness · snubbing · reserve · antisocial behavior
hand, glad, gladly, handshake, handshakes, handshaking, gladhand, gladhanded