How do you respond to cringeworthy bragging?

Post date: 2021-05-04 03:09:41
Views: 152
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:
Movie: Life After Beth
Small furniture retailers face existential tariff threat, regardless of Supreme Court ruling
New York Gov. Hochul drops robotaxi service proposal for outside NYC in blow to Waymo
How do you do, fellow Canadian
Three Silicon Valley engineers charged with stealing Google trade secrets and sending data to Iran
Nvidia is in talks to invest up to $30 billion in OpenAI, source says
Amazon surpasses Walmart in annual revenue for first time, as both chase AI-fueled growth
Japan inflation falls below BOJ's 2% target for first time since March 2022
Kennedy defends Trump glyphosate order; MAHA erupts as midterms approach
U.S. trade deficit totaled $901 billion in 2025, barely budging despite Trump's tariffs