How do you respond to cringeworthy bragging?

Post date: 2021-05-04 03:09:41
Views: 253
I've had a couple of professional interactions recently where my interlocutors were straight-up bragging about their accomplishments, how much money they make, how in demand they are, and so on, for an hour, in meetings where I was asking for a favor. What is the best way to respond?

Given that my social and professional circle tends to lean modest (with occasional namedropping or humblebrags at most), I am completely at sea with this behavior, and felt extremely uncomfortable. I smiled and nodded, but it felt insincere (as it was), cringing internally.

For context: I did not set up the meetings. I merely asked for a favor that could be done over email, but they elected to give me hours of their time, which sounds generous, except that the meetings were 100% about them. I chalk this up to Covid loneliness on their part?
Number of Comments
Please click Here to read the full story.
 
Other Top and Latest Questions:
Special Event: Rifftrax: BLACK BELT ANGELS
Movie: The House Bunny
Book: The September House
Silo: It's All Good
Import prices post surprise gain as costs of goods from China hit highest since 2008
Warsh pledges Fed policy 'regime change' to rid inflation 'tax' on American people
Current and former employees sue Meta, alleging discrimination in using AI to conduct layoffs
Bipartisan group of senators propose Social Security reform process ahead of funding shortfall
IBM stock craters 25%, the worst day on record, after company issues second-quarter earnings warning
China posts slowest quarterly growth since 2022 as investment slumps, fanning stimulus calls