How Do you Handle Popularity?

[foggy]

I'm a social person and I'm going into my second year of college. Last year my reputation preceded me. Some of the time after introducing myself to someone, they would tell me that they had heard of me before. My roommates and friends are aware of my sociability. They say, "Everyone knows you, backstory!" I hosted several big parties last year and most certainly was driven to meet everyone I possibly could.

I am never sure how to react to these situations. When someone calls me popular or claims everyone knows me, I always disagree. But I want to get better at responding to situations like this and learn how it's going to impact my interactions with women.

Here's are some questions:

Someone implies or states that I am popular. How should I respond?
How does being popular affect the way women view and interact with you?
Is there a difference between being popular and being well-known?

Looking forward to hearing your responses to these questions and anything else you may choose to add.

 

[Dylweed]

The best way to handle this would be to not let anybody's comments about you change your emotional state whether what they said was positive or negative. You are you and nobody can change that.

So basically stay in a good mood no matter what is said and then you wont have to think about a response, it will just happen in a natural fun way.

 

[Byron]

I'd probably just smile, or shrug or something.
I just got to a pretty small, laidback college and the main thing I've had trouble with so far is trying too hard. Law of Least effort is king and will make YOU king.
I'm still working on the gaining popularity thing though and the getting more than four hours of sleep thing
byron

 

[Orelfius]

"Everyone knows you, backstory!"

Answer to this: "Ahhh… but do they know me well?" and a mischievous smile.

 

[Rusty]

A little bit of humble, with a touch of self-deprecation. I like a little bit of deflection whenever someone gives me a gracious compliment/ over-the-top comment

Person: "Everyone knows you, backstory!"

You: *laughs* "Ah... no way. Everyone knows "X" is the big man on campus. So how's your year going so far? / How's your night going?"

You address the comment very briefly with a small acknowledgement, but don't explain yourself. I do throw in a "negative" response (eg. nah, not really)to buffer their comment and quickly redirect the attention somewhere else. It's not hurried, but it's done so you don't linger on yourself. I never keep the conversation focused on me. Once you start explaining yourself/ get flustered, best case scenario you end up showing off or turn people off.

As far as what that means, it certainly doesn't hurt to be known as a sociable guy. You become more approachable, you have built-in social proof, and if you leverage that sociability well, you can build connections with others and help each other out. Get invited to more social functions, meet more women, make cool friends. As long as you're able to build a strong, positive reputation as a social butterfly type, it can't hurt. Social dominance is a very attractive trait to women. Women gravitate towards men who are respected by other men.