Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Nice to meet you! I've heard a lot about you...

This comment tends to make people feel uncomfortable. Or curious. Or suspicious. Because when you're introduced to someone new and he or she says, "Oh I've heard a lot about you..." you're probably thinking to yourself: What does this stranger know about me? Is she just saying that to be polite? If not, how did she find these things out? Did Steve tell her? And if he did, was it the bad stuff? Should I go home and get rid of the bodies underneath the house?!

But most people respond with one of the following answers:

  • "Oh, well...I hope only good things!"
  • "Nothing bad, right?"
  • "Thanks...I think?!"

    ...and the like.


    Well, I guess it depends on what you heard. But not unlike the question So, what do YOU do...? this comment just seems to be the logical thing to say when meeting someone new (if you've heard about him before.) So maybe there's no way around it.

    In which case, maybe this is your opportunity to have a little fun in the conversation. Lord knows we need more of that. After all, "I've heard a lot about you" is such a cliche, you can pretty much say whatever you want in response without worrying about conversational consequences. Here are some suggestions:

    STRANGER: "I've heard a lot about you..."
    YOU: "Oh no! Don't believe the lies!!!!"

    YOU: "It's all true."

    YOU: "I swear that guy was already dead when I got there."


    How do you respond when people say "I've heard a lot about you..."?

    * * * *
    Scott Ginsberg
    Author/Speaker/That guy with the nametag