Do you have the charm-factor?
Charm is a funny thing. Most of us secretly wish we had more of the ‘wow factor’, that magic ingredient that makes small-talk sparkle and fizz like the best Prosecco, dazzling potential BFFs, colleagues, bosses and soulmates with our captivating wit. To this end there are countless books, self-help programmes and TED Talks devoted to the mysterious art of winning people over. Strange then, given all the helpful advice out there, how rare it still is to come across someone who is genuinely charming. We’ve all fallen victim to the smooth-talker – that unpleasant character who is armed with a clear agenda, a pasted-on smile and outrageous flattery, which is why, when we encounter authentic charm, it makes such a lasting impression.
As a child growing up in Glasgow, I can still vividly recall the first time I witnessed charm in action. My mother had befriended Mary, a local artist who lived in a sandstone townhouse. She had a classic green sports car called Delilah that she never drove but, much to my delight, referred to often as if the car was an actual person. One day, Mary offered to babysit and my mother, keen to make a good impression, dressed four-year-old me in a white dress and white lacy tights for the occasion. I spent a magical afternoon in Mary’s
