Discussion: Why do people Brag?

They want to impress others. They are insecure.

I agree. I believe they are insecure.

I think you are right on this one.

Yep. I agree. Insecure.

I think it is also a sign of insecurity but it doesn't have to be a permanent personality flaw. IT could be situational. I had a colleague who I recently met who was VERY competitive and CATTY. She had a way of "promoting" others and downplaying my efforts at every chance she could...so overtime, I found myself "reminding her" of my accomplishments as a way of protecting my dignity. She did it so "slyly" that I if/when I confronted her..."Oh U are too sensitive! I KNOW that U have done blah! blah! before...I was just mentioning it because blah! blah!". So it was HER insecurity that kind of drove MY insecurity. Finally, I just cut her off as an associate. It finally occured to me that this type of relationship was toxic and was not one that was mutually beneficial. It has been almost 1 month and I am FREE to be ME! I no longer have to deal with that "one up" conversation that I dealt with for the past couple of months that I knew this person. So she may say that I "bragged a lot" but I felt like I was justifiably confidently protecting my self-esteem!-HA! HA!

There is different types of bragging. I brag all the time about my daughter. I tell everyone about her accomplishments in life. I brag a lot about my niece who has done so well in life too.

I do not brag about myself. I think when you have to talk about yourself all the time you are trying to make up for low self esteam issues as well. I am not saying that I will not brag on a subject I know if I am asked.

I also think that some people brag to try and make the person they are talking to feel bad. That is very mean but it is done.

Bragging is bragging. When you are bragging about your kids you are still bragging. I get tired of listening to people go on and on about their kids.
Believe me it is still as bad as bragging about yourself.

I have no idea about this subject sorry

I usually laugh! It doesn't bother me anymore because I accept they are insecure and are trying to make themselves feel better.

I agree insecure

In my opinion and experience, people brag because they're insecure about themselves and generally tend to have a low self-esteem, so they brag to make themselves feel more secure and better about themselves and their standing in the world.

I think you hit the nail on the head. I had a friend who, if I was sick was always sicker etc. I used to tell my husband when I got off the phone that she was coughing up a lung again...her children were the best...everything with her was the best.... or the worst depending on what it was. I found myself less depressed when this friendship was over.

I also have been told that someone thought I was in competition with them every time I got a home or car or something new. This person is a lot younger than me and it was ludicrous. I have a good heart and am a giver and I think that is the opposite of people who keep up with the Jones's.

I guess they feel better about themselves, but there are many who do this when they bad mouth others, like they have to find fault with others to feel better about themselves. In the end, it really doesn't help them at all. There is always someone else who will buy a new car the next year, or win the lottery, or get a promotion and burst their bubble.

We need to be happy with what we have and grateful for our blessings. It helps keep us feeling positive. There will always be someone with more and someone with less. I like to celebrate others successes and happiness, but these people do not realize what boors they become when they are so competitive. We all will be leaving all we have when we leave this world. They miss the point.

Twenty years ago I wanted to win the lottery and have a large impressive home until I met someone with a large impressive home, 60 acres and two rental homes. What it took to maintain this magnificant 3 story home was unbelievable. This lady had a huge porch full of hanging plants. It took her 6 hours a week alone just to water this plants. She rode a tractor to mow her lawn and had 2 ladies come in to help her clean. She had a full time job taking care of her home...I have enough to do with what I have and realized what a burden this would be and my desire left very quickly. Many times what we think we want brings more work and responsibility.

I have a SIL who is like this.

It seems whenever I get something. She has to get it to, or something better. Or I mention something I want or plan on doing with the kids and she runs out to do it first. She can never do anything on her own.

When I moved down to Florida she owned maybe 3 DVDs. She seen my families collection. Now it seem she is competition with us to have more than us. because that is all she buys...I just laugh at her instead of getting mad. I mean really you have to feel sad for people like that. They are what I call followers who can't do or come up with neat things for themselves. They have to copy off everyone else. It is really pathetic.

Thanks to everyone for your comments mainly they are all the same. I did like what Dawn said about talking about your children but sometimes it can be a bit much when you talk about them ALL the time. It's a time and place for everything, every conversation shouldn't be about them, I talk a lot about my marriage because I hope to help someone in need but it's not all what I talk about.

Thanks everyone, the answers were great.

I think they want to convince themselves more than others!!!! When we have good things going on in our lives we don't boast or brag about it but simply tell people "things are pretty good right now, how are you?"

I love it when people brag to me. I just listen and smile and tell them I am glad things are so good for them. LOL

I like humble folks much better than braggers.

Thanks everyone.

I think it has to do with keeping up with the Jones' and wanting to always look good. I think people who have to constantly brag about their life or what they have have some insecurity issues. I also think it is normal to brag about some things (maybe a new job or something), but it is annoying and rude for the people that constantly do it.

i do not like braggers... it's like they are trying to make themselves feel sooo big...
i'm a very quiet person.. Mom told me to be seen and not heard...
and it's not polite to brag... sorry...

Girly Comments & Graphics

Thanks for all your comments

I think the reason i like to listen to them is cause i wanna go back to college and finish my counseling degree. LOL I actually find them interesting even though i don't do it myself! LOL

plus sometimes just watching and listening while they go on and on and on and seeing how long it takes them to run out of steam when they see i am not "competing

I think you are about right... I think they just need a little assurance..

i think the biblical understanding of bragging is very helpful
"praise not thy self let others do it"
if ask by someone how was your trip etc I think it is perfectly ok to tell them in a factual way but be careful of verbosity.

I know someone that brags about what they eat,what cars they have and drive,they even show pictures.she brags about working,she brags about her pet,she brags about her kids,and everywhere she goes...But the strangest thing..she tries to dress and look like me..and i don't have shit..excuse my french..but i notice from the hair to the colors that i wear....so i have come to the conclusion as to why people brag especially more around certain individuals...number one...They have never had anything before,so for them to have what little or lot that they do have,they just gotta let the world see and know that " look people,I'm just as good as you,I got what you got.........Number two..If they are jealous of someone they will try to out do that person to show that person up and to try and make that person feel smaller than they already feel....You know those type of people that are jealous on the downlow so they try to use pyschology to make their target jealous......And number three...They will brag because bragging about the things they have or don't really have makes up for the emptiness they lack as far as no personality, poor self image and very low self esteem...I say these people can be dangerous if they are jealous of you...because they will actually look at you and study you like a book and try to be and act like you while at the same time try to out do you and will sometimes make your life a living hell..I say for braggers ....Beware..they have mental issues,are on ego roller coasters and live in a world that only include them..These people are sad,sad,sad,and most of the time angry,moody,bitter and unpredictable.