Schmooze

[Slava]

This one belongs with smarmy. Lobbyists, too.

Schmooze up to a Senator.
Schmooze up to your boss.
That smarmy used-car salesman was really trying to schmooze up to my wife to convince me to buy a heap.

[gailr]

Some people expect to be schmoozed as evidence of 'exceptional customer service'. The more staff they can divert from other tasks (and other clients) to engage in leisurely conversation -- especially when it is obvious that a line is developing and the phones are ringing off the hooks -- the more important they feel and the lighter their step as they leave, reassured of their singular importance.

[Philip Hudson]

Schmooze seems scurrilously sick and slimy.

[gailr]

Sick might be a bit strong.

Schmooze can also be light-hearted and friendly. If we're not busy and there is time for a chat with a client, it can be referred to as a schmooze by either party. An out-of-office appointment with an existing or potential client can be referred to as schmoozing when reviewing the daily calendar. Context is everything.

schmooze
intransitive verb
: to converse informally : chat; also : to chat in a friendly and persuasive manner especially so as to gain favor, business, or connections

transitive verb
: to engage in schmoozing with <she schmoozed her professors>

[Philip Hudson]

My little string of alliteration was not about the definition of schmooze. The word just doesn't sound good to me.