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Macher: "A social person who socializes with people to accomplish specific goals, tasks, or develop a network that may prove to be beneficial to himself, an organization, or society at large. Machers have targets."
This website encourages both Schmoozers and Machers but specializes in addressing issues mostly related to schmoozing
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Everyone is welcome to browse the site
-- no matter what your convictions. But we wanted to be above board: This site fdivides its focus between an evangelical Christian and/or Messianic Jewish perspective on schmoozing and society at large. We freely quote many sources (as schmoozers are prone to do!).
Although the specialized focus of this site will be to bring schmoozing to bear within our congregations, most articles in our menu are written from a broad, Judeo-Christian values viewpoint, and thus will appeal across many religious (or secular) lines.
Note: the ads Tripod includes on this site are not necessarily endorsed by Schmooze 777, or the webmaster. This is a conservative traditional values site.
Our Mission
The purposes of Schmooze 777 is (1) to embolden Christian/Messianic Schmoozes and to encourage new respect for the contributions of Schmoozers to the Kingdom of God, and (2) to encourage all people everywhere to develop their schmoozing skills.
We are particularly thankful to the Jewish/Yiddish cultures for their development of the science of Schmoozing. Thank you!
Those of us who consider ourselves Christians or Messianic Jews recognize that Jesus and all 12 Apostles were Jews in every sense of the word. Whether we are the physical descendants of Jacob or not, the tradition of schmoozing is part of our spiritual heritage.
Redeeming the Word "Schmooze"
The word, " schmoozer" is often used in the media to refer to someone who manipulates others or takes advantage of others. The caricature is that of a shallow person who builds relationships for business reasons, etc. Although the word " schmooze" is close in meaning to "being friendly," a macher
is more likely to make friendships for utilitarian reasons.
Schmoozers may find themsleves with ready-made networks should they decide to pursue a busineess, but they did not make friendships for the purpose of networking. Most schmoozers do not go into business, but simply enjoy people for the sake of enjoying people.
The original idea of schmoozing is a positive, not manipulative concept. Schmoozing is an old and respected approach to society.
As Aye Jaye,in his book, "The Golden Rule of Schmoozing" comments: "...schmoozing is based on age-old principles: Know Thyself; The world is as you see it; As ye sow, so shall ye reap; Do unto others as you would have them do unto you....Schmoozing is the Golden Rule at full throttle... A schmoozer is someone who talks to people as if they really mattered --and to her, they do...In schmoozing you are volunteering yourself to another person, while at the same time making them feel better about themselves..."
Although this site is dedicated toward advancing respect for schmoozers, we also want to encourage
machers.
Machers are generally appreciated, but we do not want to give the impression that we are anti-
macher. Machers are usually our leaders, our benefactors, and the hard workers that create an environment where schmoozers find it possible to schmooze
.
Don't know what machers are? Read the article to the right! Personally, I have a foot in both the
schmoozer and macher camps, but the foot in the schmoozer camp is bigger!
My contention is that many machers unintentionally look down upon the ways of the schmoozer.
This is what we are trying to change.
LINKS
What is a Schmoozer? A Macher?
Two types of Social People:
Harvard professor Robert Putnam, in his excellent book, Bowling Alone, explains some of our nomenclature.
"In Yiddish, men and women who invest lots of time in formal organizaitons are termed machers -- that is, people who make things happen in the community. By contrast, those who spend many hours in informal conversation and communion are termed schmoozers. This distinction mirrors an important reality in American social life...
Machers follow current events, attend church and club meetings, volunteer, give to charity, work on community projects, give blood, read the newspaper, give speeches, follow politics, and frequent local meetings...Machers are all-around good citizens of their communities.
Schmoozers have an active social life, but by contrast to machers, their engagement is less organized and purposeful, more spontaneous and flexible. They give dinner parties, hang out with friends, play cards...hold barbecues, visit relatives, and send greeting cards."
Putnam goes on to explain that many people are neither of the above (Baby boomers and Generation X, for example, are much less social than previous generations), while some have a foot in both worlds.
My contention is that many churches undervalue and mislabel schmoozers as "lukewarm" or "without passion, " but schmoozers often add the warmth, compassion, and relationship-building skills that bind a church family together. Although it is harder to get schmoozers into church, once they make a commitment, they are usually among the most faithful and stable. But, though they serve faithfully, they often become the object of "revivalistic" preaching.
Generally speaking, it seems to me that most churches punish schmoozing behaviors (like playing cards or staying after church to chat) but reward macher behaviors (like aggressive, emotionally charged appeals or "measurable results" campaigns).
News
We are just beginning! If you have an approrpiate article to post, let me consider it. Your input is welcome at edvasicek@gmail.com .
I hope to eventually address topics like: How many churches inadvertently puts down schmoozers (for example, many churches have this heritage: sports have been okay as a church activity for decades, but playing non-gambling card games is only now considered appropriate -- and some churches still advocate this double standard), or "How does schmoozing promote love within a congregation?" I hope to soon pen a paper on the Biblical basis for schmoozing. I hope to do one on Mary (Lazarus' sister) the schmoozer and Martha the macher.
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The papers posted at this time were written years ago for a general audience. I will consider you papers for posting. Maybe you can save me the effort! Schmoozers are willing to share -- especially the work!
Schmooze around with us! ENJOY!