Weak tie

I’m not doing too well these days. I feel like a “weak tie”: people I introduce get on really well and leave me out of their stuff. People I’ve not yet introduced but who are desperate to have a reason to know each other are overjoyed if I provide the opportunity while they are somewhat less overjoyed if I just suggest coffee. Guys who know I had a crush on them invite me to their wedding because we’re such close friends. I debunk students in a minute by explaining the notion of Foucauldian discourse and providing the emotional labour to let them gain confidence in their own ability and they go away creating Facebook fan clubs for the unapproachable (male) profs. I’m so non-threatening it’s scary. I’m also socially generous and I share my contacts and information easily. But I’ve had enough of this ecological niche.