shmoozing
Working the room
Shmoozing is engaging in friendly, often self-serving conversation—chatting someone up to build rapport or gain advantage.
From Yiddish.
The word suggests warmth that may be strategic: He spent the cocktail hour shmoozing potential investors.
A shmoozer is skilled at this kind of social lubrication.
Also spelled schmoozing.
Casual social interaction
- hobnobbingCasual social mingling
- working the roomSystematically engaging all attendees
- connectionsRelationships between things
- contactsPeople you know professionally
glad-handing · socializing · influencers · business cards · cocktail party · mixer · fundraiser · reception
Informal verbal exchange
- gabbingTalking at length casually
- chit-chatInformal trivial conversation
- shooting the breezeCasual, aimless conversation
- small talkPolite trivial conversation
catching up · kibitzing · banter · water cooler · coffee break · idle talk · pleasantries · chitchatting
Excessive insincere praise
- sweet-talkingPersuading through flattery
- buttering upExcessive flattery for advantage
- ingratiatingSeeking favor through flattery
- smooth-talkingCharmingly persuasive in speech
charisma · winning over · complimenting · persuasion · disarming · affable · charmer · likability
mingling
Casual social interaction
- hobnobbingCasual social mingling
- working the roomSystematically engaging all attendees
- connectionsRelationships between things
contacts · glad-handing · socializing · influencers · business cards · cocktail party · mixer · fundraiser · reception · power brokers
chatting
Informal verbal exchange
- gabbingTalking at length casually
- chit-chatInformal trivial conversation
- shooting the breezeCasual, aimless conversation
small talk · catching up · kibitzing · banter · water cooler · coffee break · idle talk · pleasantries · chitchatting · jawing
flattery
Excessive insincere praise
- sweet-talkingPersuading through flattery
- buttering upExcessive flattery for advantage
- ingratiatingSeeking favor through flattery
smooth-talking · charisma · winning over · complimenting · persuasion · disarming · affable · charmer · likability · banter
shmoozingavoiding
Deliberately staying clear
ignoring · shunning · withdrawing · keeping to oneself · cold-shouldering
shmoozingspeaking frankly
Communicating without evasion
telling it like it is · straight talk · cutting to the chase · honest conversation
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