Today’s message has little to do with travel, and a lot to do with your social status.
In not so many words, the Social Buffoon Curse sounds like this: “You think that is cool, wait until you hear what I have to say.” It shows its ugly face when one person in a group shares some good news only to be trumped by the next person’s self-directed “exciting information.” The other people in the group immediately interpret this as a sign that it is time to play “one-upmanship.”
It may unfold something like this: “My daughter just graduated from The University of Miami.” “Oh! My son just graduated from Brown …and we had a big party …and he came with his fiancé …and we bought him a car …and 300 people came …and he looks a lot like Brad Pitt …and I wore my red dress …and… and… and…”
I am certain that you are guilty of exhibiting the SBC now and then, and I suggest that you cease this boorish behavior at once. It is the fastest way to reach a dead-end street when it comes to establishing a meaningful relationship.
Remember this: “Nobody cares about your stories.”
Did I strike a tender nerve? I’ll say it again. “NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR STORIES.” They care about “their” stories.
Your relationships will have deeper roots once you probe deeper into their stories by asking questions. To the first person announcing her daughter’s graduation, you might say, “That’s terrific. What did she major in? What is she planning to do next? Did she ever skip class and hang out on South Beach? Did she ever spot Don Johnson?” (That last one was for you old folks like me.) You get the picture.
Now that I have brought it to your attention, you will notice the SBC happening everywhere. Just don’t become a practitioner of this boorish behavior. Get into other people’s stories. You will be glad you did. They will be glad you did.
You already know your stories and other people only care about theirs. Become The Exception. Get into them.
Mike Marchev is always looking for a few more proactive travel professionals to join his Sales and Marketing Club, mike@mikemarchev.com.
*** You want more to think about? Check out my weekly podcast (Miked Up Marchev). Also listed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, and iHeartRadio.