Customer Reviews

The Golden Rule of Schmoozing

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

I am fascinated by ‚The Golden Rule of Smoothing'. A real page turner. Aye Jaye wrote a book for everyone. Not only in business but also in many private and personal situation it can make your life easier and more pleasant. The principle of treating other people well is simple. Schmoozing is a buzzword. But to analyse the motivation of schmoozers and to explain the advantages and benefits for your family, business partners, neighbours, etc. is important. The author explains the different kinds of schmoozing and gives a lot of examples and stories. Even if you are familiar with schmoozing, this book will expand your horizon in a funny way. You will gain new ideas concerning various kinds of schmoozing, like schoozing your boss and schmoozing your family. Furthermore, you will read the secrets of name schmoozing and health schmoozing. This book creates a new proactive inner thinking of the reader. It is easy to read, funny, serious and helpful. This book is a must. Buy it!

All of my life I've been shy and have never had the guts to speak up and get what was rightfully mine, though I haven't been able to do 100% of what the author suggests, I daringly had tried 50% and it works, so I will continue with 40% more, as there is 10% where I feel you have to have an over the top personality to venture down those paths. What amazes me most is what I once thought was intrusive or invading, I have now learned can be endearing and welcoming. This book has literally changed my life. If you suffer from this social anemia, get to this book ASAP or give it to somebody like I used to be. Though I am not bold enough to sign this review, I am first now bold enough to have written it! Signed, Schmoozingly coming out!

A true to live journey by a real man. I read the book and later heard his lecture. Aye Jaye is as real as the pages in the book and lives what he wrote. This is not just a formulla book about success it's a guide written by experiance and adversity that is usefull to all who deal with other poeple in relationships, business and life.

I genuinely enjoyed this book. For any of you skeptics out there please listen to me. Some of you might find my opinion slanted since I have been an acquaintance with Aye Jaye for over ten years, but I'm telling you first hand that his techniques work. I have seen him in action on numerous occasions. When I read his book all of the mystery came to light. There was true cause and effect. He wasn't just some lucky guy who got all of the breaks. He was able to control his environment and create a positive result. I finally understood how he was always able to turn even the most difficult situations into a "win-win" situation where all parties were happy. The steps are laid out clearly with real life examples, not just theory. Some of the benefits I myself have enjoyed as a result of Aye Jayes's schmoozing techniques were front row seats to Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, exceptional service in restaurants and wonderful hotel room upgrades. As mentioned in his book, many who work with the public are constantly bombarded with negative comments and complaints. If you are the ONE person who makes them laugh or feel good about themselves, they will naturally want to return the favor, such as upgrading your car rental, hotel room location or size or even just plain give you the best service they have to offer. Isn't that what everyone wants? Read this book and you too will learn to schmooze your way to a positive existence.

I was very impressed with the advice I received from this book. It was very direct and was an easy read. I've used many of the tactics discussed in the book with much success.

I read this book in one sitting! Aye Jaye shares with us all the basic truths to having a great time on Earth, without stepping on any toes. The examples of "schmoozing" he writes about are universal. He hits so close to home I laughed and cried pretty much cover to cover. The history of his life would stand alone as an amazing biography, but Aye Jaye generously uses the "self help" form to show his readers the way to feel the joy of helping others to simply "have a better day". This book should be required reading for anyone in the service buisness, and for anyone who desires to be served...WELL.

One of the most inspiring books I've read in a long time. I first borrowed it from the library, but then purchased it because I want to keep it for many years, re-reading it at least a couple of times per year. It offers so many highly creative and fun ways to get one's attention off of oneself and onto others, making others' lives so much happier and thereby making oneself an inherently enjoyable person to be around. I highly recommend this wonderful book to anyone who wants a better life for themselves and/or others. In an unconventional way, the author is, in my opinion, a Great Man in the true sense of the term.