Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

I once had a similar experience - in an interview situation. (I can be likeable in person, just not in comments...)

The guy was attributing statements to me, from the conversation we were having in that moment, that i had never said. He would even say "what you said, or what you were going to say..."

I found it extremely bizarre. I am a pretty precise person, and I wanted to correct him but i realized it is pointless. the lesson i take away was powerful - if people "like" you there is almost no level they won't go to make it work out.

one thing we can do about this is cry about it. the other thing we can do is to figure out how to "hack" likability. i think my mother taught me most of the basics already.

of course - much easier to do this for one hour in an interview, than for an entire year at a job. but there is something to be said for smiling, a few kind words, and then ... graceful evasion of everything else when you want to do real work.




the other thing we can do is to figure out how to "hack" likability

Actually, the key to life is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you've got it made.


Protip to all non-sociopaths: You can't fake sincerity. Trying will backfire in the long term.


Oh but you can. The unfortunate thing is that keeping on faking it, while possible, is very hard.

People's ideals generally move into conformity with their actions, not the other way round. That's one of the myriad reasons being a spy sucks. If anyone reading was following the police infiltration of left wing groups scandal in the UK, with added sex and dead babies identities the unit involved had a policy of only using married men after one guy never came back. Probably gone native.


Protip to all non-sociopaths: You can't fake sincerity. Trying will backfire in the long term.

You seem to know a lot about psychology. What do you call someone who doesn't recognize jokes?


What do you call someone who posts ancient, moldy quotes?


How old are you guys, like 8?


And even if your mother did not teach you much, you can get most of the lessons from "How to make friends and influence people" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Win_Friends_and_Influenc...


This book had a massive positive influence in my life. I'm glad I was introduced to it in my teens.


You're lucky, I'm 30 and only now started reading it... :D




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: