Sycophancy a way of life with most people ? what do you say ?

@kiran8 (15348)
Mangalore, India
August 15, 2012 2:33pm CST
Sycophant meaning - A servile self-seeker who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people( Wikipedia) When we look around we find most people currying favors with someone or the other for their own benefit. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it has become a way of life with us Indians and probably elsewhere in the world as well ! Of course Politicians are experts at that because for them the gains and losses are much more compared to us less mortals... Can anyone of us say that we have never used this method to get our work done? It may have been be direct ,subtle or indirect method of flattery , but I feel that we all would have done it at some stage of our life or the other ...please add your views !
8 responses
@yugasini (12836)
• Anantapur, India
16 Aug 12
hi kiran madam, you are right, there is some people other than politicians and celebrities their work to be done at any cost, they will do any thing for that, i think i have understand this from your discussion, but politicians will say lot of things and doing lot of promises until they get votes and elected,after that they left us,have a nice day.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
16 Aug 12
Hi sreedhar, thanks a lot for your views , politicians are experts at the art of sycophancy and use it all the time to get favors from others and their own bosses. It can also happen with an average person as well since we too have our own work to be taken care of - have a nice day
@yugasini (12836)
• Anantapur, India
16 Aug 12
hi kiran madam, thanks for the response, and thank god i have understand the content, there such persons who get done their works as they wish , i have seen them regularly,but we are also showing some lazy ness in making things, but they complete the work without stopping that is their interest on their work,my godrej cot is have to be fixed with the Godrej people,every day i am thinking to call the company people,but every day i am fogetting that is my interest on works,have a nice day.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
16 Aug 12
There is a saying - you have to finish tomorrow's work today to get where you want, so it is our hands what and how we plan our life right ?our life is our own and it is entirely upto us as to what we want out of it and then work towards it..all the best sreedhar
@sanjay91422 (2725)
• India
21 Aug 12
I see, I never had problem with such people because I never care about such people. I love the people who are funny and who can talk the intellectual. I love people who understand me no matter if they feel bad about me or good. If they understand me that is all I want and I do the same with the other. I try to understand people and have fun. It is good to live life with smiles.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
21 Aug 12
Hi sanjay, thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts , you are a positive person and such people are most of the time straight forward too...But , there are all kinds of people in this world, and most people are looking for getting favors from others and will go to any lengths to get it...all the best and have a nice evening
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
27 Aug 12
Hi sanjay, we have to make the most of life and be positive always, thats the only way we can hope to be happy !I feel that sometimes, some people are very smart and manipulative and it is difficult to know their intent, but once you get to know them, it is easy to see them for what they are...
• India
21 Aug 12
I am glad to get the complement, thanks. Telling you the truth, I can recognize such people too but I get bored when they come around me. I also love to get favors but only when I ask for it. If I need one I will ask for it. I also love to give favors, sometimes even if unasked. It is all about understanding. This is the way my life is going. I always try to live life to fullest, making sure to see the people around me with the smiling face(By making fun of them)and always hoping for a better tomorrow. Have a good night
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
16 Aug 12
There once was a time when this was only done by someone in the political or show business arena. Unfortunately in this day and age its done to get anything from anyone. I've even seen the smallest of children do it for something as simple as a piece of candy. I will admit I have used a slight form of flattery to get in good with bosses. I think this is almost the norm. What bothers me is that its become the way to do things. I'm afraid honesty may be lost as the SH*T gets higher and higher. Happy MyLotting. Dml
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
16 Aug 12
Hi dloveli, I agree it is not a healthy tendency but also has become a way of life !The only thing one can individually do is not to get carried away and know your limits when we feel pressurised to do so...all the best and thanks a lot for sharing your views
@vandana7 (98527)
• India
16 Aug 12
I have used it, and used it effectively, and to tell you the truth it is very very powerful. It can convert ordinary people into criminals.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
16 Aug 12
Hi vanadana, that is scary , just imagine how powerful our actions are ! so we have to be really careful and responsible while doing anything ! I too have seen how some people so easily fall a prey to it ...
@anil02 (24688)
• India
16 Aug 12
Hello, I know one new word from you. Indeed no one say that he/she never use this method to get done their work. I don't remember but it is possible that I used this method to get done my work. Some time we influence some other with cast. It is common thing that person of same cast favour each other.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
17 Aug 12
Anil, I am glad that you learnt something from this discussion.I agree that these days one has to use every method possible to get the work done, otherwise you get left behind.This is a world where the loudest are heard not necessarily the best...have a wonderful day
@suni51 (3429)
• India
16 Aug 12
You see I simply hate it and cannot stand any one with such habits. I never tried to butter my superiors in my early stages of job and never allowed any one to use those tactics on me later while I could fall prey of such people. I learnt this from my father who retired as deputy director of his department while his juniors superseded him.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
16 Aug 12
You of course should do what you have to do , all the best sunil
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
16 Aug 12
But things can change depending on the circumstances and sometimes we end up doing what we earlier hated! who knows one might even like it ...that is life I guess ! Sycophancy thrives only when it is fed !just being philosophical sunil
@suni51 (3429)
• India
16 Aug 12
No way, even if you see me doing that, consider me doing it for fun or being sarcastic in honey coated words. That's my way of having fun. Can't you see the name of my blog, "let's have some fun'
@savypat (20216)
• United States
15 Aug 12
Like everything else it's easy to go overboard with this. But most of us who do business have found that it is much easier to start dealing with people in a pleasent way, in a way that shows them the benefit of treating us well, then to treat them with threats and ill will. Just a simple way of address, showing you care about them and don't want to make their job more difficult will be fine. Now I know that this would not be Sycophant, but take it a couple of steps further, offer a small compensation for the favor you are requesting and you are close to falling into this defination. Learning how to tell the difference means the difference between doing good business or Sycophancy , don't you think?
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
16 Aug 12
Hi savypat, I agree that here is a difference between being diplomatic and being pleasant and being a sychopant...However, many people do use this a means to get their work done - go all out to please a person they may have no regard for, but as log as their work gets down they would put up with anything and go to any length to please them...thanks a lt of sharing your views and have a nice day
• India
16 Aug 12
Well, I can say YES, I HAVE NEVER USED. But I can't say that I have never used this method during my childhood. Once I am bit grown up, I never tried or attempted to please anyone for my personal benefits. I am not sure whether, my method comes under your point. I usually and generally help people around [of course without any expectations at my level] and I am sure most of my friends help me because of this method of mine. So, I am not sure whether I in fact flattered them according to you. I believe in the quote HELP EVER HURT NEVER. I am not 100% doing the second part. But the first part I think I do.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
16 Aug 12
Hi mouli, not seen you around for a long time !Mutual help is what makes life worth living !I too agree with your quote ...all said and done we are human and we cannot be doing only the right things all the time,it takes away all fun out of life ...all the best and have a great evening