modern day geisha
so i've been noticing a trend. lately, different friends and even just acquaintances have been inviting me along to different events and functions with them. more and more it seems that my purpose is to entertain whatever other guests my friend/acquaintance is meeting. it's not my company they want, it's in an, "i'm meeting up with these people and i need a buffer."
i've become a modern day geisha.
i have better than average social skills, am an excellent conversationalist and have a way of making people feel comfortable or at least disarming them a bit in social settings (usually accomplished by making fun of myself quite a bit...it's self-defeating but it ALWAYS works).
everything from entertaining the friend's brother's boss from out of town to the, "i'm bringing my boyfriend out for the first time and he doesn't know anyone so i want you there because you'll be nice to him," to "i'm fighting with my significant other and want you there to make sure we don't claw each other's eyes out," to "hey, we have a third wheel for you to entertain," or "i'm hanging out with people who i don't like, i'm bringing you to engage/entertain them so i don't have to."
when it comes to finding someone who will get along with ANYONE, i've become the go to girl. i didn't volunteer for this job. i'm not sure how i ended up with it, but most the time it's not all that fun and i'm not really enjoying myself. I'm too busy buffering, making fun of myself, and making sure everyone else is comfortable to worry about having a good time myself. being a geisha girl isn't effortless, no matter what anyone says.
i need to start charging for this shit.
posted by jazz @ 10:35 AM
7 people who played with me:
Oooooh a people buffer.
I could totally use one of you.
uh, YEAH YOU SHOULD CHARGE. this is why i just stay home. not that that's any better. i'm just saying.
definitely take some gifts, at the very least. i hope your food and drinks and cover is getting paid for! i've been in the same situation and it really sucks when it's a onetime thing and that person you were buffering to gets dumps/moves/leaves/overall acts like a jerk and you wasted all your homegrown charisma on them!
Luckily, I don't talk, so I never get put in that situation.
eh what the heck- more oportunities to network with new people- you never know- and to practice those social skills even more! all good!
You're a good friend. A lot of us don't have someone to help us out in those situations. Hopefully your friends realize that.
Once you start showing up with your own lantern and pot of hot tea, they'll get the point and open their checkbooks ;)
In the meantime, what a fabulous talent you possess and use well.
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