schmoosing
Chatting people up
Schmoosing is chatting in a friendly, often self-serving way—making small talk to build connections or curry favor.
The word carries a whiff of insincerity, suggesting conversation as social lubrication rather than genuine exchange: He spent the cocktail hour schmoosing with potential investors.
Also spelled schmoozing, from Yiddish.
Informal verbal exchange
- gabbingTalking at length casually
- small talkPolite trivial conversation
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
shooting the breeze · chit-chat · kibitzing · hanging out · bonding · rapport · friendliness · warmth
Casual social interaction
- connectionsRelationships between things
- contactsPeople you know professionally
- business cardsPrinted contact information handouts
- cocktail partyDrinks-focused social gathering
conference · LinkedIn · introductions · handshakes · elevator pitch · power lunch · gatekeepers · influencers
Excessive flattery for advantage
- sweet-talkingPersuading through flattery
- charmAttractive personal quality
- complimentsExpressions of admiration
- ingratiatingSeeking favor through flattery
sucking up · brownnosing · apple-polishing · fawning · currying favor · smooth-talking · persuasion · winning over
chatting
Informal verbal exchange
- gabbingTalking at length casually
- small talkPolite trivial conversation
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
conversation · shooting the breeze · chit-chat · kibitzing · hanging out · bonding · rapport · friendliness · warmth · gossiping
mingling
Casual social interaction
- connectionsRelationships between things
- contactsPeople you know professionally
- business cardsPrinted contact information handouts
cocktail party · conference · LinkedIn · introductions · handshakes · elevator pitch · power lunch · gatekeepers · influencers · career advancement
buttering up
Excessive flattery for advantage
- sweet-talkingPersuading through flattery
- charmAttractive personal quality
- complimentsExpressions of admiration
ingratiating · sucking up · brownnosing · apple-polishing · fawning · currying favor · smooth-talking · persuasion · winning over · praise
schmoosingwithdrawing
Removing or pulling away
avoiding · keeping to oneself · isolating · shunning · cold-shouldering
schmoosingtelling it like it is
Speaking plain, unfiltered truth
straight talk · cutting to the chase · confronting · criticizing · antagonizing
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