Name Dropping and Connection

Name dropping is the practice of mentioning names of important figures in a conversation for a variety of purpose which include to establish one's status, superiority, credibility, authority, and connection. When you are new in a social circle, often the easiest way to gain entry is to mention that you know or you are related to so and so to establish some common association. It is that "guan xi" or "koneksi" element essential in Asian society.

The important of connection is not just an Asian phenomena. In the Victorian England, it is very important also to have connection in high places to get things done or to gain the acquaintance of "atas" people. In the modern US, the lobbyist industry is also hinged on this same concept. The lobbyists essentially are selling their connection with policy makers in the Senate/Congress so that industry players can be connected with policy makers important to their businesses.

When I started to join GKY Singapore, I was determined that I wanted to be known as who I was and not who I was connected to. In the process, I have gained true friends who see me as a person and who take interest to find out who I am. However, there were a number of occasions (only rarely fortunately) where people became more interested in me only after it was revealed that I was related to so and so. On two occasions happened recently, friends dropped a name into the conversation in a bid to rescue me from being brushed off by another party. I guess the church is not immune to this.

In a community of believers, it should be enough that we are all connected to one another in Christ. In fact, that should be the one thing we want to establish first when we meet people: that we are believers of Jesus Christ. Further, people should take interest in other people so that we can support one another, and pray for each other.