Braggarts and name droppers

[SheryllJane]

Hello, what is the standard response to a name dropper, such as "My best friend, SO and SO (a big wig) called me yesterday to ask me to lunch."  when these kinds of comments are routine at any meeting with this person.

Also this person is a braggart and when he/she brags, what is the response? 

Usually name dropping and bragging occur in the same conversation. 

How about "that's nice.  How bout them (sports team)"

[Ceallach]

I definitely think bean dipping is definitely the appropriate response in these situations.  It sends the message:   I am not interested in pursuing that line of conversation.     

Any response that acknowledges what they've said merely encourages them, unfortunately, and they'll continue to add to their self-congratulary stories.    I often hear people responding by politely encouraging them ("that must have been so interesting!" etc), which is fine if they're happy to continue the conversation along those lines.  The other reaction I see is people mocking them by pretending to encourage them - usually using a hearty dose of sarcasm!  Which is rude, although often amusing.   

So I agree, change the subject! 

[magician5]

How about "that's nice.  How bout them (sports team)"

Okay, so call me rude ... "I'm appropriately impressed. No, really, I am, I'm simply overwhelmed with admiration."

[O'Dell]

"that's nice.  How bout them (sports team)"

That's what I do. And like the PPs have said...avoid anything that can be taken as encouragement!

[Kaypeep]

Definitely bean dip.

"My best friend So-and-so Called me for lunch today!"
"Nice!  I love lunch! Have you been to the new italian place on Main street yet!  They have awesome minestrone!  Better than my grandma's but don't tell her!  LOL"

[I'mnotinsane]

Definitely bean dip.

"My best friend So-and-so Called me for lunch today!"
"Nice!  I love lunch! Have you been to the new italian place on Main street yet!  They have awesome minestrone!  Better than my grandma's but don't tell her!  LOL"

This is exactly the response you should give.  It lets the braggart know you are interested but non-plussed.  It should end that line of conversation.  Otherwise he'll try so hard to come up with things that will impress you that he will tire himself out.

[Rosgrana]

I would treat to a "dropped name" exactly as I would any other name. "My friend the Dalai Lama has a new bicycle..." gets the same response as "My friend Keith from the factory..." etc.

[artk2002]

Very low affect response.  "That's nice for you."  Just as if he had said "The sky is blue."  He drops the name so that he can impress you.  Show that you aren't impressed.

[Jocelyn]

The other posters are right- treat it as you'd treat any other name. If necessary, put on a soothing voice, like a preschool teacher: 'It's nice to have friends to go to lunch with, isn't it?' Focus on the part of the brag that's not the speakers focus (he's focusing on WHO he's going to lunch with, you focus on WHAT they're doing.)

[M-theory]

"My friend the Dalai Lama has a new bicycle..."

My goal for the weekend is to work that into a conversation and say it in a completely casual tone of voice.