[It's O.K. brag. Everyone does it at sometime or another. In business it is often necessary to toot-your-own-horn in order to get ahead. So go on and send the boss a memo and let him or her know that you have finished that difficult project. Don't downplay your hard work and effort to get the job done. ]
But what about the friend or colleague who brags day in and day out about who, what, when and where they have been, seen or what they have bought? Do you feel like saying "who cares," or worse "come on, I know that you are not telling the truth." Do you do try to turn your brain off and allow your friend or coworker to keep talking? Some people seem to have a need to brag, they don't see themselves as braggarts. Often this is simply a way to hide insecurity or lack of self-confidence.
If you have a friend who hogs the spotlight or spins a story that you know to be untrue, try to understand that there is probably no malice meant. The person telling the story about his or her latest adventure, conquest, etc., does not realize how he is coming across to others. He may just want desperately to fit in and feel that he is a part of the group. Fortunately or unfortunately for the storyteller a lot of people will not only see through the story but may also think of the person as being very artificial or 'plastic.' In the end no one is impressed. There is no respect, nor is there envy. Instead people actually turn away which is the opposite of what the braggart is hoping for.
A few hints for dealing with the braggart:
- Try complimenting your friend on something he has done well.
- Learn to count to 10 before responding to outrageously tall tales.
- Remind yourself that your friend is not bragging to make you feel bad. He is doing it to make himself feel good.
