Butter Fingers

     Life is all about building relationships. Even in business, networking is paramount. What happens when the same person endlessly drops names?


     As I've mentioned in previous posts, I am starting my own business. In the process, I've made many acquaintances who are not only great connections, but genuinely nice people. I find it bothersome when people continuously drop names in an attempt to bolster their own importance. Jocelyn (you may remember her from previous posts), constantly does this in regular conversations. She can often be found mentioning "important" people as though they are old friends. Once, I overheard her tell an old co-worker that she knew a prominent car dealers family because her sister babysat for their kids. She also told a different co-worker who was getting a new car, that if she was having trouble with the dealership she could help her. Why? Simple. She "knows a guy" at said prominent car dealer's dealership. Pardon my cynicism, but I don't think she holds that kind of clout.


     Jocelyn also likes to wax poetic about how her friends have "important" jobs because they're all doctors and lawyers. My question is: If they are you're friends, why can't they help you get a better job?


    At the end of the day, people are people regardless of their title or prestige. If you know someone, you know them. Pretending that you share a closeness that is non existent makes you appear fraudulent and pretentious. It's usually better to hold on to a name than drop it.