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Know it All's

(103 Posts)
Struggling2do1 Sun 18-Nov-18 22:03:04

It drives me crazy. Those people who have been there, done it and know all there is to know. How do you deal with them? Regardless of the subject matter they always have an opinion, if it differs from the majority then everyone else is wrong but they are right. They care not a jot for your opinion. So should how do you deal with this type of person?

luluaugust Mon 19-Nov-18 13:53:48

Its not only the ones who are always right what about the ones who think its a good idea to tell you the "truth" about something, for your own good of course.

nipsmum Mon 19-Nov-18 13:39:59

I did know someone who needed to tell everyone, in great detail,how to do things that were quite simple. The joke at work was "don't tell ? you are going to the toilet because he'll spend 10 minutes telling you how to wipe your bottom". This person was like that with everything. It seemed very very annoying.

EllanVannin Mon 19-Nov-18 13:14:01

You get them in every walk of life and I usually end up laughing at them smile-----by thinking of something funny.
The ones which RamblingRosie refers to are the ones who really get up my nose. Me Myself and I where nobody else matters.

red1 Mon 19-Nov-18 13:13:22

in psychology if you are into 'labels' people who are always right give you an inkling they may have a 'personality disorder' My father was always right who crushed all his family with his control and bullying. with later reflection in adult life,he had I believe a narcissistic personality-yes they are always right. sadly because I grew up with one I somehow was usually was at the receiving end of people always being right! not until my 50s did I realise this and I lost a lot of people in the process-phew
Now if I get the slightest sniff of someone always right ,depending on my frame of mind ,I make them realise how dumb they are ,mostly I ignore them.
who can afford the 'luxury of a closed mind'?

Tillybelle Mon 19-Nov-18 13:05:06

Struggling2do1. Awww My sympathies! They are everywhere! I think as best one can, avoidance is the answer. I try to look a bit bored and say "oh really" as if my mind is elsewhere. It took practice. At first I felt rude but then I thought how rude they are, not sharing in a conversation but hogging it and always bragging. So I try to ignore them, keep away from them, not answer them, and look bored.

nanasam Mon 19-Nov-18 13:02:27

Agreed, Rosie, they only seem to want to talk about themselves. I'd try not to include them in any conversation.

stella1949 Mon 19-Nov-18 12:52:44

My ex was one. That's one of the many reasons why I'm glad he is my ex.

RamblingRosie Mon 19-Nov-18 12:36:10

How about the people who talk non stop, and when they draw breath and you get a chance to say something they don’t listen? Or maybe my life is boring compared to theirs??

glammyP Mon 19-Nov-18 12:28:40

Tell them to call LBC radio with their opinions - the presenters have a brilliant way of dealing with people who THINK they know it all but when quized on the facts they actually don't.

Eloethan Mon 19-Nov-18 12:25:32

Anja I haven't heard that one before. It made me laugh. Thank you.

Struggling2do1 Mon 19-Nov-18 12:16:04

Yes many thanks Anja, Pam summed it up brilliantly.

grandtanteJE65 Mon 19-Nov-18 12:01:25

If it is a casual acquaintance I usually just let it pass, unless the topic is one I feel obliged to comment on.

Family members I tend either to say I don't agree with them or change the subject.

Obviously, if they are barking up the wrong tree with regards to something within my field of expertise, I make no bones about telling them so.

Willow10 Mon 19-Nov-18 11:58:57

I loved the Pam Ayers link! I have a brother in law exactly like that. My sister is still working at 75, because she simply can't bear the thought of spending every day at home listening to him! Sadly, as he gets older the worse he gets and the less I want to visit.

Struggling2do1 Mon 19-Nov-18 11:54:26

My BIL is a case in point. Thankfully he lives abroad so putting up with him face to face now does not happen. Social media however allows certain people the opportunity to 'show off'. When someone is having a hard time the last thing they want to hear is how 'perfect' another persons life is. I can assure you Sue01, having my BIL at your supper table would be no fun at all.

Aepgirl Mon 19-Nov-18 11:53:21

I have a friend just like that - knows everything, the right way to do things, etc, and on the very rare occasions she asks my opinion, her stock answer is 'yes, that's what I was thinking'. Grrr.

GabriellaG Mon 19-Nov-18 11:51:39

Go with the flow. Agree with everything they say, no matter how ridiculous or contrary to your own views. There isn't much they can say if you make it clear that you concur with their views and concede that their knowledge is greater than yours.
I was in a situation last year re parking, where I was called all the names under the sun and then some. I agreed with everything and asked for advice as to how I could make changes to be a better person. The original argument was forgotten as she gave me stupid tips as to how I could effect change. She left with a smile and I left thinking what a dope she was for believing I meant any of it.
It's a trick that works. Verbally admiring a person's self-perceived superior knowledge and agreeing with their view that you are a 'bear of little brain', panders to their inflated self importance.
What they think of me doesn't matter one jot. I can weather all storms.

Smileysue Mon 19-Nov-18 11:50:08

Anja the Pam Ayers poem was brilliant. Cheered me up! X

Purplepoppies Mon 19-Nov-18 11:44:44

I know someone who is very like this. If I caught a 2lb fish, for example, her would be 10lb! You get the picture. She often wants to tell me a tale of woe but not the other lady in our trio, with whom she's had the longer friendship. I sometimes doubt what she's telling me and why she isn't telling our other friend. I hope that doesn't make me sound a bad friend, but I've caught her out on a few lies before, about things that really don't matter!!

Minerva Mon 19-Nov-18 11:31:41

Anja, that made me choke over my coffee

Millbrook Mon 19-Nov-18 11:18:23

Anja Thanks for the Pam Ayres clip - not seen it before and it’s brilliant! To be fair, none of the men or women in our family are like this, but I’ve come across a fair few (men) like it in local politics!! They also tend to think they’re eloquent and inspiring (they’re really not!) so go on talking for a heck of a long time. I used to enjoy chairing meetings just to be able to give them a time limit!

annep Mon 19-Nov-18 11:12:04

Thank you Anja. Brilliant!

Tea and cake Mon 19-Nov-18 11:10:43

Love Pam Ayres!

b1zzle Mon 19-Nov-18 11:03:41

And then there are the ones who, while you're telling them something, you can see their minds whirring and the minute' you've finished they start to tell you about something that they think is similar that they've experienced which is far more interesting, far more sensational...

Barmeyoldbat Mon 19-Nov-18 10:57:18

Yes I have a sister like this. knows everything and you can't have any sort of debate with her she gets snappy and dismissive. So I have sort of walked away and I don't tend to communicate very much with her.

mabon1 Mon 19-Nov-18 10:55:42

just ignore them