People who know me, know that I’m a fairly social creature. I like to talk with folks and I hope that they like to converse with me also. There is something that I feel that I haven’t quite mastered yet and that is the art of the schmooze. 

I bring this up because the place where I am doing my internship is all about “networking” and making connections. This last week we had a big welcome cocktail party where everyone was supposed to go and mingle with some of the professionals of the company. The same thing happened back in February when I was out here for the interview. 

In both instances I made a realization that might doom me for the rest of my professional life. I don’t really care about brown-nosing the presidents and CEO’s. Any conversation that I would have with them wouldn’t be to genuine. I mean, I would ask a few questions about their success and they would tell me a few stories. We would be cordial and forget each others names by the end of the conversation. 

Truth be told, I would much rather talk with the little guys, like the ones who work in the mail room and those serving the hour d’oeurves.They are more humble and are a lot more interesting than the arrogant man in his $3000 suit. I probably think this way because I am more of a little guy than a big shot. 

At one of these gatherings I found myself talking with one of the waiters about his job and what he thought about the party. I told him of how I used do the same kind of gig when I was in high school and how fun it was to watch people interact at some of the events. It was by far the best conversation of the evening. 

Maybe someday I will feel the need to schmooze but as for right now I’m content being friends with the janitor from Guatemala and talking baseball with security guard at the front desk. At least they will remember my name.