If there’s one thing that absolutely puts me off as a character trait, that’s the tendency to brag.
Ever since I was a kid I hated that. When mom was bragging to other moms about our grades and they were bragging back to her (ain’t that what all moms do?), all I wanted is to smash everything in the room just to get their attention to something else. You’ll never hear me brag, only as a joke.
Unfortunately, Internet brings out the big fat ego in most of us. From well-toned teenagers in Facebook to over-the-hill nerds that are too proud about their latest venture, bragging is everywhere. Cannot escape it, really.
Being of a highly critical nature, even (and mostly) to myself, I can’t help but feel absolutely pissed off at times. I’ve seen good people brag about a random thing, I winced and I never looked back. People that I liked and of whom the work I admired. I’ve given my fair share of chances, but this goes on. And on. And on.
So, no more chances. If bragging or showing off is your truc, you’re getting off my list*.
Eventhough I’ll keep some people that ended up being completely ridiculous and just make me laugh. Laugh is good.
So the next time you’re about to spread some bragging wisdom in Twitter, please, take a deep breath, shut the fuck up and go back to work.
* Oh noes! The agony!
5 comments on this post
klou #1
04.Mar.09
Sometimes i “throw” little tips or links that I believe are useful to people.
Is this bragging?
Or you mean those people who are always like: “From a meeting, to another meeting and to another client and how great am i ! ” ? :p
Svelon #2
04.Mar.09
You ‘ve got a “list”?
Oh no! The agony!
I hate bragging, too, but sometimes it’s inevitable, since it’s the easiest way (yet not the most efficient) to be heard.
Sugar #3
04.Mar.09
@klou
Nah, I think you’re safe. A weird case of bragging is when you RT yourself in Twitter. That’s… clinical.
@Svelon
Bragging is one thing, showcasing thyself is another.
Lea Verou #4
04.Mar.09
I think that there’s a very thin line between showcasing thyself and bragging. For instance, I may consider the same thing either bragging, or showcasing thyself depending on who says it.
Also, bragging is highly subjective.
For instance, I consider it bragging when somebody speaks to me about something he* hardly knows, using as many technical terms as possible to sound like he actually has a clue. However, the subjective part here is “he hardly knows”. Who defines that? And how easy is it to spot? It heavily depends on your own knowledge on the matter, so consequently, it depends on you.
Another example: Someone might want to brag, but since (s)he knows that bragging is frowned upon by most people, (s)he will find a more sophisticated way to do it, so that it doesn’t sound like bragging. Consequently, whether you understand if it’s bragging or not depends on your intelligence and capability to read between the lines, so it again depends on you.
As for my personal opinion, I hate bragging most of the times, especially when it comes from people that I consider ignorant. However, I try my best to not confuse bragging with high confidence, as lots of people do. I also hate bragging’s opposite exactly as much: Undermining thyself and being insecure.
*The pronoun “he” was intentional. As much as I hate gender discrimination, I have to admit I haven’t still observed that behavior from women. Most women I’ve met are chiefly “guilty” of the exact opposite of bragging: Undermining thyself and being insecure.
Amy #5
04.Mar.09
I hate bragging love sharing life experiences. There’s thus guy who totally bugs me on facebook & prompted me to search hate bragging. He says things like it’s only Monday and I have too many requests to hang this weekend…… Acts as if he’s famous but when I look at the functions he’s speaking of they have 0 value except to pump his 40 sumthn trying to act 20 sumthn ego. I think he needs the validation so I hold my opinion and see it as ultimately not harmful to me. So watevr but I deem it PATHETIC!!!!! Not every1 is me & that’s ok………. Still annoying sumtimes.