If you are looking for ways to deal with someone who brags, this article can offer you some ideas. It can be very frustrating when you are in a situation where you have to deal with a person like that. These are some strategies that can assist you. You can use one or all of these ways to deal with someone who brags.
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1. Back Away
If you are dealing with someone like this, one of the best ways to deal with someone who brags is to back away from them. You can gently make your way out of the conversation and take your exit as a way of dealing. Another way of backing away is to just avoid them altogether. Whether or not you can take this option depends on the position this person holds in your life. Some people are easier to avoid than others.
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Exiting the situation is key. If you're in a group setting, it's often easy to move to another conversation without drawing attention. However, be tactical; you don't want to come off as rude. If they're a work colleague or someone you cannot simply avoid, minimize your interactions and keep conversations brief and focused on work-related topics if possible. Remember, your peace of mind is important, and reducing exposure to negative behavior is a form of self-care.
2. Vent to Others
Venting to others doesn’t make the person who brags any less annoying, but it can be helpful to you. It lets you get that frustration out. Most likely your friends would be happy to let you vent to them. If they know the person, they may even want to vent with you. This is especially a good option if the person you are dealing with is someone you cannot avoid.
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Remember though, the key is to vent in a constructive manner. You don't want to sink into a cycle of negativity, which can easily happen when communal griping becomes habitual. Instead, use venting as a way to acknowledge your feelings and move on. It's natural to seek validation from your peers when someone is rubbing you the wrong way. Be sure you choose a confidante who understands your need to decompress, rather than someone who might exacerbate the situation or spread further gossip.
Frequently asked questions
Honestly, it could be their way of seeking attention or validation. They might feel insecure and think that showing off will make them look better in others' eyes.
You can use funny comebacks to lighten the mood or just nod and change the subject. It’s really about protecting your peace and not letting them get under your skin.
If ignoring them doesn't help, you could try gently calling them out on it or having an honest conversation about how it makes you feel. Sometimes people don't realize they're doing it.
Definitely! You can acknowledge their achievements without feeding into their need to brag. For example, say something like ‘That’s great!’ and then steer the conversation to a different topic.
Absolutely. Some people brag because they have low self-esteem or deep-seated insecurities. Understanding this can help you navigate the situation with more empathy.
3. Say Something Non-committal
Another way to deal with someone who brags is to say something non-committal. In other words, make a very vague comment. This will hopefully throw them off. It may discourage them from going on since they are probably not getting the response that they are looking for. This is also a kind way to let them know you aren’t impressed.
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When someone is boasting, a simple "Oh, interesting," or "That's nice," given with a neutral tone can suffice. These brief acknowledgements neither encourage nor feed into their ego, and can often subtly signal your disinterest. It's a gentle way of steering the conversation in a different direction without confrontation or making the person feel bad. Remember, the less energy you contribute to their bragging, the more likely they'll pick up on the cue that their self-promotion isn't having the desired effect on you.
4. Change the Subject
Another tactic that you can try when you are dealing with a person who brags is to change the subject. This gets you off the topic of whatever they are bragging about. You can bring up many different subjects to talk about. It doesn’t have to be anything in particular. Hopefully this will save you from their bragging and give them a hint.
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To gracefully change the subject, use momentum or relate to something current and interesting. For instance, mention a recent movie everyone's talking about or inquire about their holiday plans. The key is to be subtle but firm, steering the conversation towards a neutral or inclusive topic. This technique not only helps divert attention from the braggart but also refreshes the conversation for everyone involved. Remember, the art of conversation involves give and take, and by providing a new subject, you encourage more balanced participation from all parties.
5. Give Them a Reality Check
This usually isn’t the first option that you want to choose. But sometimes you have just had all the obnoxious bragging that you can stand. If you feel you have tried other options and they aren’t working, this may be the answer. You might want to let the bragger know that their walking three miles daily isn’t that impressive; someone you know walks six. This will usually end the bragging quickly.
6. Act Bored
This one isn’t too hard to accomplish. You generally are bored with you have to deal with someone who brags a lot. You can only listen to so much of that. You may want to break eye contact to let them know they have lost you. You can allow a yawn to escape to give this idea, too.
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Acting bored is one way to deal with someone who brags too much. It can be difficult to listen to someone who talks about their accomplishments or possessions in a boastful way. To show your boredom, you can break eye contact and allow a yawn to escape. This will let the person know that you are no longer interested in hearing about their bragging.
If you feel uncomfortable with this tactic, you can also try to divert the conversation to a different topic. You can ask the person about their hobbies, interests, or current projects. This will help to take the focus away from their bragging and can create a more pleasant conversation.
If the person continues to boast, you can also try to be more direct and ask them to stop. You can explain that their bragging makes you feel uncomfortable and that you would appreciate it if they could talk about something else.
No matter which approach you take, it is important to remember to remain polite and respectful. The goal is not to hurt the person's feelings but to express that you are not interested in hearing about their bragging.
By following these steps, you can successfully deal with someone who brags too much and create a more enjoyable conversation.
7. Laugh on the inside
This is a nice, polite option to help you deal with someone who brags. Just laugh on the inside. Use their ridiculous bragging as your humor for the day. It can actually be quite entertaining to listen to someone go on and on about themselves. This is especially true when you know others around you see through them, too.
Dealing with someone who brags can be difficult. What are your tips for this situation? How do you deal?
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Dealing with someone who brags can be a challenge in any situation. One way to handle the situation is to laugh on the inside. This is a nice, polite option to help you stay composed in the face of someone's bragging. It can be quite entertaining to listen to someone go on and on about themselves, and it can be a great source of humor for the day.
Another way to handle someone who brags is to be honest and direct in your response. Let the person know that their bragging is making you uncomfortable or that you don't appreciate it. This can be difficult to do, but it is often the most effective way to get the person to stop.
It can also be helpful to practice self-compassion and remember that everyone is struggling with something. The person who is bragging may be trying to overcompensate for an insecurity or lack of confidence. Practicing empathy and kindness can help you to stay composed in the face of their bragging.
Comments
Ali: I show up at a campground to meet friends, one of whom always brags. I hear birds overhead making noises when I get there, so I say Ï love the birds." She says they are so loud, and the trains made noise all night. I said I love the sounds of birds and the forest. This comment prompted the negativity to go away for a second, and then she switched to bragging about her camp stove and setup. I said, "nice." It is one brag moment to the next, and I find her exhausting. I think it best I stay away from this person as she seems clueless to all those around her that see her be a braggart.
Beryl: Or just ask what the point of their story is?
Erudit: Deal with someone ;)
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