Boasting.

I never boast or brag about anything. There’s always going to be someone richer or cleverer so what’s the point. But I do keep a few things up my sleeve which I can pull out of the bag if someone really winds me up.

I have a neighbour who has “so much money”, she doesn’t know what to do with it. Who says things like that ? None of the neighbours bother with her now.

It's quite easy for me not to boast because I really have nothing to boast about.

Boasting about what members of your family have achieved is pointless as they might have achieved things in spite of you.

I hate it when people boast about their parents, spouses or children and look down on you because they think they are superior by association. Being the child or the spouse or the parent of a high flyer does not make you a high flyer.

I know several people who, when I ask how they are, go on about the achievements of family members but never ask about me or mine.

Magenta8
It's quite easy for me not to boast because I really have nothing to boast about.

🤣🤣
Me, too, Magenta!

One of (late) DH’s friends seems to live in his own fantasy world. His boasting and name dropping is legendary. It’s quite sad really.

I feel like you Magenta8, when people boast about their children or family members rather than saying what they are doing themselves I always feel sad for them that their own life isn’t enough to talk about, particularly people I knew when I was young - I want to know about them, I’m not interested in their children.

I agree Casdon, I have two friends who are always boasting about their spouse , children and grandchildren, interestingly both are sahm . And they never ask about my dc or dh

kircubbin2000

At a funeral today I was surprised to see an old friend who dropped us a few years back after a drunken night when she disapproved of our friends.
The usual greetings were made and I asked about the family as you do.
She went into great detail about how her son had been head hunted and is now ceo of a very big firm in Hong Kong. Then she got distracted and moved off.
Some of mine have done interesting things too but I wouldn't boast about them. Wasn't asked anyway.

You asked about her family, she told you. Her son is doing well, fact. That's just a news update, not boasting.

You are just determined to criticise her, from start to finish in that post.

I agree butterandjam. Sometimes people aren't boasting just telling you what's going on in their lives.

I think there is quite a difference between updating people about your family and out and out boasting.

As I was not privy to the conversation, I for one, would not like to make a judgement as to whether the woman was boasting or not.

I've met people in a social situation who have launched forth about their lives and the people in it without asking anything of anyone else, not so much an exchange more of a monologue.

Some people have no self awareness.
It’s quite sad really.

What, please, is wrong with being proud of your own children?

Maybe it was the ‘great detail’ that you found just too much? I agree that a reciprocal interest in what your news was would have been nice, but there we are.
At least she wasn’t moaning in great detail about her noisy neighbours/painful left toe/the price of eggs etc.

I agree it is sad. I know quite a few people like this- it is as if they have to over-egg the pudding so to speak, because they lack the confidence to admit they are not interesting of and in themselves, or they feel they have to make up for their own inadequacies by endlessly going on about their kids and grandkids, their old jobs, their new furniture etc etc.

A friend recently admitted that she didn't really have any 'proper' friends, but she doesn't realise people get bored with her constantly talking about her family...

It is hard work sometimes listening to people like this...

My daughter made me a wee photo album of her two eldest ,it was lovely and it had “Granny,s boasting book “ on the cover .20 years later I still carry photos of my talented,bright and beautiful grandchildren .
I don’t understand why it’s wrong to be proud of them.?
I will always sing their praises

Tenko - what is sahm ?

I always remember a situation we had quite a few years ago. Close friends of ours from NZ, who we knew from when they lived in England were staying with us overnight on their last night here, we lived not far from Heathrow at the time and were taking them to the airport at next day. A friend of theirs who we did know, but more of an acquaintance to us asked if she could pop in to also say goodbye. She stayed nearly 3 hours. She talked about her job, her kids, her daughter's job which took her to Dubai, her holiday with daughter in Dubai, her daughter's boyfriend, their engagement, her car, her house, her ex, her parents their latest cruise, chapter and verse on all there various ailments. She didn't ask mutual friends anything about their life in NZ, their kids, my son who was still living at home at the time came in to say hello, she just carried on talking about herself. On and bloody on she went, she said it was only going to be a flying visit for a quick goodbye, if we hadn't been going out for a meal, I'm not sure she wouldn't have taken root for the entire evening. I do really wonder about some people's total lack of awareness at times.

Oh please!
Why shouldn’t we be proud and share with who we perceive to be friends what our children and grandchildren are doing! And most certainly I do good things and not so good where appropriate too.
I listen to others but when it comes to family I make sure to my “proud moments” in too.

their not there

crazyH

Tenko - what is sahm ?

Sahm is Stay at Home Mum

Thanks Spinnaker

Unless you know someone really well and they’re a real friend, nobody wants to hear about their life or that of their kids and DGC either, it’s a bore.
If asked I just say ‘they’re all fine thanks’.
Next time don’t ask anyone about how their family are.

I understand how irritating such apparent boasting can be, having had a friend very much like this years ago, but I honestly think most people don't realise that they're coming across as boastful. They're just being human really; being proud of a family member is a natural feeling. We all have various faults which annoy others. Sometimes it's just thoughtlessness.