6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Schmooze Me?, May 25, 2005
This review is from: The Golden Rule of Schmoozing: The Authentic Practice of Treating Others Well (Paperback)
I loved The Golden Rule of Schmoozing, The Authentic Practice of Treating Others Well, by comedian and author Aye Jaye. In fact, I enjoyed the book so much that after borrowing it from my local library, I went out and purchased it. This is unusual for me, as I rarely even keep books I have read through.
The Golden Rule of Schmoozing reminds me of Dale Carnegie on steroids. It's an entertaining, easy-read book filled with examples of how to lay on schmooze anytime, anywhere. I'd have to say that the purpose of schmoozing is to just enhance the quality of life; to make The Road more bearable, if not enjoyable. Schmoozing is all about respect, being nice and taking the extra step in relationships.
I liked the way Aye Jaye defines schmoozing in such a positive light: "Schmoozing is The Golden Rule at full throttle." "It's a skill and an art form that encourages people to say, "You've made my day..." "A schmoozer is someone who talks to people as if they really mattered..." To my mind, this book reminds us that what goes around, eventually comes around. Well-placed schmooze can result in good Karma and good fortune, albeit random, but I'd take random over nothing!
One thing that threw me was the Foreword written by Penn and Teller. Not being a fan, I was glad that it was short. It didn't even hint at the quality of content to come.
The extensive Table of Contents illustrates the far-ranging arenas for schmooze.
(four pages of) Acknowledgements
Foreword by Penn and Teller
Introduction
Chapter 1: The four laws of schmoozing
Chapter 2: Come Bearing Chatch Never come empty handed
Chapter 3: The "Make What You Say Pay" Schmooze
Chapter 4: The "Make It Happen" Schmooze
Chapter 5: If The Schmooze Fits, Care for it.
Chapter 6: Schmoozing for a Job
Chapter 7: Schmoozing the boss
Chapter 8: Managing with schmooze
Chapter 9: The Schmoozing Ninja Salesperson
Chapter 10: The Matchmaking Schmooze
Chapter 11: Schmoozing for Love
Chapter 12: Making up Schmooze I was a Jerk, but I'm better now
Chapter 13: The Impulse Improve
Chapter 14: The Traffic Schmooze
Chapter 15: The ABCs of Kid-Schmoozing
Chapter 16: Teen Schmoozing Saving the Rebels Without a Clue
Chapter 17: Schmooze Yourself to Good Health
Chapter 18: Oozing Schmooze on Yourself Proactive Inner Thinking
Chapter 19: Relationships are Everything We're all in this together
Chapter 20: Schmoozing Friends and Neighbors
Chapter 21: Tricky Schmicky Schmooze
Chapter 22: The Name Schmooze
Chapter 23: Winning by Grinning Schmooze
I particularly enjoyed Aye Jaye's examples, rendered from his own life experience and those of friends and acquaintances, which drive home the point of each chapter. It was also fun to learn of the unintended (and sometimes intended) reciprocating schmooze by schmooze-recipients.
I've learned that even shy and introverted people can schmooze. This book enables the charm and charisma in otherwise inhibited people, by explaining how natural it is and illustrating the positive effects on both the schmoozer and "schmoozee". If more people were aware of the schmooze-effect it would lead to happier and more satisfying relationships across the board.
This book is recommended for all.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Solid Effort!, September 28, 2001
This review is from: The Golden Rule of Schmoozing: The Authentic Practice of Treating Others Well (Paperback)
Whether you're trying to close the sale, woo the girl, or just strike up a conversation, nothing works better than simply making the other person feel great. Author Aye Jaye describes his techniques for doing just that, by bestowing compliments, planning surprises and doling out gifts. The Schmooze is effective at everything from improving your standing with your boss, to getting a better hotel room or talking your way out of a speeding ticket. The book is written in an easy-to-read style, which very much expresses Aye Jaye's own personality, as if he is schmoozing the reader, too. And therein lies the only problem. Some of Jaye's favorite lines seem long and hokey, and some of the suggestions he offers - like sliding a waiter a dollar bill at the start of a meal while saying, "You are number one with me and there's more coming at the end of dinner." - bring to mind another Yiddish word, "Schmuck." But you needn't resort to such extreme schmoozing, and we [...] recommend that you read this book for its original take on the power and method of the world's oldest business technique. But please, tone it down.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thank you, Aye Jaye! Not "phony" at all!, February 14, 2000
This review is from: The Golden Rule of Schmoozing: The Authentic Practice of Treating Others Well (Paperback)
Dear Aye Jaye! I whole-heartedly wish to thank you for writing this book! I intend to write you personally also, but wanted to show more people how I feel about your book! I already had a good and pleasant life and found a lot of things in your books that I were already practicing. However, you have given me a deep well of tips and tricks for various occasions. Apart from that it was a very enjoyable book through-and-through. I started out buying the cassette book after having stumbled over it as part of an offer. Since it was abridged I ordered it in paperback too and had even more fun and got even more tips. I'm kind of a Tao guy in many respects. No new age...just plain, simple, everyday logical truths, that's what I want - from somebody who has tried them all out. I am in a new and wonderful relationship and I know now how to make it last this time - through hard work, thoughtfulness and schmoozing! My sound advice to you all is: If you haven't read this book - d o ! Start off easy by buying the cassette book. It's a really easy way to gather these tips and tricks - perhaps in your car on your way to work, etc. Then give it away to somebody you care about (or perhaps to somebody you d o n ' t care about - just to try and make them more likable) and get the paperback for yourself. It's more complete and gives you the lists of tips, tricks, movies and books in print. If you h a v e read it - spread it! Buy several copies and hand them around to friends, relatives, workmates! No, I'm sorry to say I do n o t get a commission...! ;-) If you - which is very unlikely - do not like this book, I bet you can think of somebody who would, or who would need it really bad. Happy schmoozing!
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