The experience of name-dropping

You have a famous friend called Serena*. When you mention that “Serena is a friend of mine” in conversation, does it FEEL different when you are ‘name-dropping’ that she is your friend vs. when you merely describing that she is your friend? How does ‘name-dropping’ FEEL different from just ‘describing’?

* ‘Serena’ could also be a e.g. famous university/institution you worked at, or a noteworthy accomplishment etc.