the Humblebrag

[The_Traveler]

I was stuck waiting, for much too long, for a friend in his home and passed the time reading this book called the Humblebrag- the art of false modesty and I realized how many people I come across in online forums who fit this category.

You know, those people whose virtually every statement seems to stress just how difficult their life is because they are so terrific. Then I came across this essay in an old NY TIMES that seemed to hit the point about that entire genre of people, making it clear that their every utterance are really "manipulative attempts to assert worth." And doing so in a way that the speaker is insulated from any potential criticism of his/her braggadocio.

Sometimes I get a bit irritated that the humblebrag-er thinks me/us such a fool as as to be be taken in by this. But then, in the same essay I read. "

There’s great solace in rolling your eyes heavenward. But in the end, the real challenge is to realize that falsely modest people are probably trying to combat their own perceived weakness. We then need to try to cultivate a tolerance devoid of condescension...

So I will try to understand that beneath that outside shell of a shameless braggart who looks for ways to sneak his/her little boast in, like mentioning that 'when I was shooting for 'name the outlet', is someone who is not comfortable with him or herself and really needs to let you know who he or she is.

 

[Braineack]

the internet was designed for us.

 

[cynicaster]

I can’t stand this crap, especially on Facebook.

For whatever reason, it seems most of the ones I see are related to either fitness or business travel.

“OMG! I’m so sore! Marathons take so much more of a toll on you when you’re my age!”

&#8220;I&#8217;m sitting alone with a martini in <insert large international airport>. I should be thinking about the conference, but all I can think of is how much I miss my family. L&#8221;

You might even get an epic combo of fitness AND business travel:

&#8220;Ew, this guy in the gym at <insert exotic-sounding European hotel> didn&#8217;t wipe down the elliptical machine after using it! The worst part is, he looks like one of my customers!&#8221;