He takes you on your first date. The restaurant is nice. The conversation flows. Then he says it: "I have a guy who can get us VIP for free." Sir, we are on a date. Why are you networking? The "I have a guy" man is a specific species. He has a guy for everything. A guy for club entry. A guy for discounted hotels. A guy for "original" iPhones. A guy who knows a guy who knows Wizkid's cousin. None of these guys have ever been seen. They exist only in his stories. And the flex! He will call this invisible guy during your date. "Let me call my guy, he'll sort us out." The call lasts 30 seconds. The guy apparently said yes to everything. You are supposed to be impressed. You are supposed to think he is connected. You are supposed to ignore that he is using "his guy" to avoid paying full price for your dinner. The "I have a guy" man is not generous; he is resourceful. He is not rich; he is networked. He will spend 45 minutes explaining how he got your movie tickets for free instead of just enjoying the movie. His entire personality is access. His entire value proposition is connections he cannot prove. Have you dated or met the "I have a guy" person? And did any of the guys ever actually show up?
