"rub shoulders with" only for positive situations?

[alpacinou]

Is "rub shoulders with" only used for positive situations with famous and successful people? "She rubs shoulders with famous celebrities".

Can it be used in a negative situation with bad people? Is this okay?

I'm worried about him. He goes to the wrong places these days and rubs shoulders with all the wrong people: a bunch of low-life, sleazy snakes.

 

[Tarheel]

I suppose you could phrase it that way. In the current vernacular we'd probably say he's been hanging out with the wrong sort of people.

 

[alpacinou]

I suppose you could phrase it that way. In the current vernacular we'd probably say he's been hanging out with the wrong sort of people.

What else can be said instead of hanging out? I'm looking for alternatives.

 

[emsr2d2]

Knocking around with (BrE)

 

[alpacinou]

Knocking around with (BrE)

I like it!

Is is it used in American English too?

 

[Tarheel]

I like it!

Is is it used in American English too?

Not to my knowledge.