[onewhippedpuppy]

I think if you are genuine and comfortable with yourself, the rest will come. If you aren't comfortable with yourself, others will sense it and similarly not be comfortable with you.

To me schmoozing has sleazy connotations. I consider myself to be a good conversationalist, in that I can really carry a conversation with just about anyone. I'm not an ass kisser or a liar (too much engineer in me), but I think that with a little effort you can genuinely connect with most people and have a "real" conversation.