The Golden Rule of Schmoozing

by Aye Jay

So what is schmoozing? According to Webster's unabridged dictionary, schmoozing is a yiddish word that means to chat or to converse idly. But today there is a common misconception, the word has come to suggest a con or trickery. It's not. Schmoozing is the Golden Rule at full throttle. It's a thrill and an art form that encourages people to say, you've made my day instead of demanding make my day. It's a technique for turning others on, not taking others on. A schmoozer is someone who talks to people as if they really mattered-and they do! Read by Penn Jillette, who has been called the most wired magician on this planet, is the more gregarious half of Penn & Teller -- the world's most famous magic duo.

Genres: Self Help, Communication, Business, Audiobook

Audio CD

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh dear. Based on this material, I think the author must have been paid per cliché. I downloaded this audiobook thinking I'd enjoy listening to an upbeat, fun guide read by Penn Jillette. Perhaps I'd pick up a few tips that might be helpful in social interactions. However, I found Jaye's humor to contrived, self-congratulatory, and one-dimensional. The stream of "just for yuks" gags soon wore thin. Very thin. There was also a sort of snake-oily smarminess to the advice that made my skin crawl.

Does this make me a "loser, not a schmoozer?" I don't think so.

[☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-well-well, what do we get here?
- Social graces service! Making good stuff happen!
While I like the idea, I'm sort of horrified at the rest of this:
- One has to lug around a ton of 'tchotchkes' and throwing them at everyone, pretty much all the time
- Offering a car repairman to take off one's pants for him to get the car in shape (both are guys) (now I know how the Germans have come up upon the repairmen trope in porn), all the while kneeling before him (O_O)
- Finding out whether someone else's cheeks would fall of in case they smile (don't ask!)

[Gilbert G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very helpful to my career and success!

[Carrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have never been very good at schmoozing. After reading this book I am no better at it. This probably has something to do with the fact that it is ten years old and contains advice like greeting sales clerks with "Hi-ya, good lookin'!" before asking for a favor, discount, etc. Apparently this tactic works for the author nine times out of ten...clearly his experience of the world is different from mine.

[Barbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was about professional development but it talked a lot about finding your right mate.....I quit reading at that point (I already found him)

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet book to help us all interact with others in a more playful and kind way.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, sincerity, humor, examples.

[Marilyn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A "must read" for EVERYONE!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this more than I was expecting.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of this advice is over the top and would not work in non-American settings, but it is a lot of fun to listen to and always gives me good ideas for creating a sense of connection with others.