How do you respond to cringeworthy bragging?

Post date: 2021-05-04 03:09:41
Views: 247
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:
High-end camping and a capital raise: AutoCamp is banking on summer travel to fuel growth
U.S. closes 2022 probe into 695,000 Tesla vehicles over unexpected braking
Movie: Death at a Funeral
Movie: The Last Viking
Movie: She's the He
Movie: Shelf Life
Movie: Affection
Tesla stock sinks 7% despite strong deliveries report
Led by Buc-ee’s and new rival Dolly Parton, America’s gas station chains are in a mega-sizing era
Microsoft commits $2.5 billion and 6,000 employees to new AI implementation unit