How do you respond to cringeworthy bragging?

Post date: 2021-05-04 03:09:41
Views: 166
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:
Berkshire CEO Greg Abel on working with Buffett, Kraft Heinz and using all his salary to buy the stock
You can buy gold on Amazon — but should you?
Dow falls 450 points, posts worst week in nearly a year as oil tops $90, jobs data disappoints: Live updates
Middle-income homebuyers have $30,000 more buying power than a year ago, research finds. It's still not enough
The Slinky to Poofy Continuum
Looking for custom muscian's earplugs in Toronto
Book: Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
Iran war could make affordability bigger issue in 2026 elections
Goldman likes these five stocks as market fears intensify
'E-shaped' economy is replacing a K-shaped one in 2026, economist says: The middle class is 'spending in a nervous way' now