hobnobbing
Mingling with elites
Hobnobbing is the present participle of hobnob, meaning to socialize or spend time in a friendly, familiar way, especially with people of higher status or influence.
The word often carries a slightly critical edge, suggesting someone is cozying up to the powerful or elite: She was spotted hobnobbing with executives at the charity gala.
It can also simply describe casual, convivial mingling without the implication of social climbing.
Casual strategic socializing
- circulatingMoving in a circuit
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- socializingEngaging with others recreationally
- mixingCombining into one mass
conversing · interacting · fraternizing · glad-handing · table-hopping · small-talk · chitchat · banter
Warmly familiar, informal
- buddy-buddyConspicuously warm and familiar
- cordialWarmly friendly manner
- amicablePeacefully cooperative in manner
- convivialSociable and cheerful
genial · affable · companionable · backslapping · warmhearted · good-natured · palsy-walsy · cozy
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- jet-setWealthy international travelers
- glitteratiFashionable wealthy celebrities
plutocrats · magnates · tycoons · powerbrokers · bluebloods · upper-crust · socialites · debutantes
Act of receiving guests
- galaFestive formal occasion
- soireeFormal evening party
- fundraiserEvent collecting money
- banquetFormal celebratory meal
luncheon · dinner-party · premiere · vernissage · salon · mixer · summit · conference
Restricted to enrolled participants
- cliqueyTending toward exclusive groups
- insularNarrow in outlook
- selectiveChoosing with care
- rarifiedExclusive, elevated, thin
upscale · posh · restricted · closed-door
schmoozing
Casual strategic socializing
- circulatingMoving in a circuit
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- socializingEngaging with others recreationally
mixing · conversing · interacting · fraternizing · glad-handing · table-hopping · small-talk · chitchat · banter · repartee
chummy
Warmly familiar, informal
- buddy-buddyConspicuously warm and familiar
- cordialWarmly friendly manner
- amicablePeacefully cooperative in manner
convivial · genial · affable · companionable · backslapping · warmhearted · good-natured · palsy-walsy · cozy · clubby
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
glitterati · plutocrats · magnates · tycoons · powerbrokers · bluebloods · upper-crust · socialites · debutantes · oligarchs
reception
Act of receiving guests
- galaFestive formal occasion
- soireeFormal evening party
- fundraiserEvent collecting money
banquet · luncheon · dinner-party · premiere · vernissage · salon · mixer · summit · conference · retreat
members-only
Restricted to enrolled participants
rarified · upscale · posh · restricted · closed-door
- schmoozingschmooze, schmoozing, glad-handing, mingling, socializing
hobnobbingwithdrawing
Removing or pulling away
keeping to oneself · seclusion · hiding away · introverting · reclusing
hobnobbingshunning
Deliberately avoiding someone
snubbing · slumming · cold-shouldering · ostracizing · standing on ceremony
hobnobbingsocial ostracism
Exclusion from group membership
groveling · social exile · standing on ceremony · social climbing