Reputation

Reputation is a feature that was added in the The Sims 2: Apartment Life expansion pack. If you have done enough friendly interactions with a townie, they will mention "You are simply the coolest person I've ever met! Keep it up, and your reputation is going up! I'm telling all my friends about you!". After you gain enough reputation, it's easier to make friends. If you get a Romance or Popularity Sim to earn enough reputation, you can get a really successful Sim.