There’s nothing worse than a colleague, family member, or partner who puts you down every chance they get. Their superior attitude can make you feel miserable – but that’s where we come in.
We’ll help you understand why they’re behaving this way, and what you can do to finally put an end to it.
Signs of condescension towards people that you should be wary of
Here are some toxic behaviors and traits of condescending people to help you figure out if the person you’re dealing with is condescending or not.
1) Overthinking their level of intelligence
These people think they are the most amazing people ever, and that you should listen to their ever-increasing expertise.
They keep bragging about how smart and clever they are. They take every opportunity to let everyone in the room and the world know about this.
Since they act this way, they think little about others.
According to Psych Central, they give that condescending smile to make a person feel less than they are.
They even feel that no one should ignore everything they do or say.
2) Assuming they know everything
There’s nothing wrong with sharing and trusting what you know. But there is a line between being arrogant and being humble.
Nobody likes a person who knows everything.
A transcendent person tends to explain things, even simple things that most people already know. Sometimes, they also tend to make unnecessary noise so that they can hide their ignorance.
It’s annoying to feel like the other person assumes that you don’t have the same knowledge as they do.
3) Giving unsolicited advice
They have a habit of expressing their opinions on every matter. They feel that there is no one more qualified than them to speak on any topic.
But the problem is that this person wants you to listen to him and accept him – even if you think his advice is nonsense and ridiculous.
This is because these people believe that their opinion is something that the world cannot afford to miss.
Sometimes they think they are doing you a favor.
4) Put up a brave front
While he flaunts his superiority and acts arrogant most of the time, this person is full of insecurity.
He hides this by wearing a mask of self-confidence and false intelligence.
This person also often brags and believes that he has a certain class. But the truth is that there is no.
This kind of behavior drives people away.
5) Brag about their achievements
They spend their time showcasing themselves and bragging about their talents, accomplishments, and everything they have.
These people feel they are better than you and everyone else. They have this need to project the perceived greatness they thought they possessed.
Toxic and condescending people tend to feel insecure, and they do this to enhance their image and show how superior they are.
Maybe because this is their way of making up for shortcomings that they hope you’ll never know about.
6) Minimize pet names like “sweetheart” or “boss.”
This person keeps using pet names to address you. For example: “Dear, I’ll buy you a drink.”
Your first instinct will be like, “I think this person is an idiot.”
While some find it adorable when an old lady calls them “Hun” – not everyone likes it either.
Using those overly familiar nicknames doesn’t make a person feel good. People even find them condescending when it comes across as arrogant.
Even if it sounds sweet and delicious, or something you might call your dog, avoid using pet names when addressing people.
Pet names are not necessary because they make people feel inferior. It also raises the problem of possession and the illusion of an ulterior motive.
For example, a boss calls his subordinates “boss” or “honey” as a way to rub elbows with them. When it comes to interacting with service employees, some tend to call them “the boss” or “the big guy.”
In a Men’s Health poll, 43% of respondents said that when someone calls them “the boss,” they think that person is a “condescending idiot.”
7) Frustration with you and others
You will notice that this person tends to criticize you and others. You never hear them say good things about people.
They talk badly about others and even those who are not around you.
They criticize and focus on the weaknesses and mistakes of others. But they cannot stand it when people criticize them.
Perhaps belittling others is their way of boosting their self-esteem.
Be careful, there is a possibility that this person will do the same to you.
8) Make themselves the center of attention
When you talk, that person will either get very bored or change the subject.
Instead of understanding what you are saying, they will refuse to listen.
Because you’re getting the attention they think you might be giving them, they turn the conversation back to themselves.
This is their way of showing you that what they have to say is more interesting and more valuable than what you have to say.
They never let anyone speak because they feel their voice is more important than yours or anyone else’s.
9) Being right all the time
Even if they made a mistake or did something wrong, they wouldn’t admit it.
They will shove facts in your face, challenge you, or even blame others. They feel they are right no matter what.
When someone in your life does not apologize and even insists that you are wrong, you are dealing with a toxic person.
10) Saying “take it easy” or “take it easy”
You have the right to your feelings and reactions.
Being told to “calm down,” “relax,” or “calm down” indicates that your enthusiasm or response to something is invalid.
When someone says these types of statements to you, it’s possible that the person is belittling your feelings — or doesn’t care at all.
It seems like this person doesn’t respect your feelings or doesn’t want to spend the time understanding your thoughts.
Women tend to have this type of response because men tend to perceive a woman’s reaction as emotional (even if it’s not). It’s like saying a woman is too sexy or overrated.
11) Saying “never” or “always” does something
Do you know someone who makes broad generalizations or judgments about your behavior?
For example, they might tell you something like “You always do it the other way around” or “You never learn from your mistakes.”
This makes you feel like you are put in a box. It is a sign that this person has a transcendent personality.
Organizational culture expert Jennifer Anna Chatman, Ph.D. “These words are extreme qualifiers and are never 100 percent true, and their use can incite a feeling of discontent,” she notes.
12) The words “actually” and “just” are used several times
There are hurtful and scary words that can make people feel inferior.
Hearing these words is like getting a backhanded compliment — which is worse than getting no compliments at all.
For example, someone says in a meeting: “Hey, I thought that was a good idea.”
This person seems to expect very little from you and seems surprised by your contribution.
It’s like saying: “I would never expect that from you.”
Or when someone says to you: “It’s simple. All you have to do is do it this way.”
13) Ignore your limits
If you are clear about your time and place, this person will continue to act the way they want.
This person feels entitled to cross those boundaries. It’s like they’ll talk to you when you say you don’t want to be bothered, or they’ll come to you anytime they want.
Not only does this person violate your wishes, but he also has no respect for you.
Healthy relationships are built on trust and respect for boundaries. But transcendent people cannot do that.
14) Interrupting to correct pronunciation
Don’t be too sensitive when someone corrects you.
While this may seem like someone is trying to be helpful, it can quickly go beyond that and become condescending.
If it becomes an ongoing problem, this may be something you want to talk about with them.
Even during casual conversations, this person tends to put you or someone else in an uncomfortable position.
They tend to barge in just to correct you when you mispronounce a word or name.
15) Pretending to be concerned for your safety
You can almost feel like they care about you, but they don’t.
This is what transcendent people do.
Their false sense of anxiety can be mistaken for real, but it’s just a trick to catch you at your most vulnerable.
When they appeal to you, they’ll either point out the mistakes you’ve made or say those famous “I told you so” lines.
As you can see, this will make you feel much worse than before.
16) Patting people on the head
Our head is one of the most sacred parts of the body.
There are some situations where patting yourself on the back or shoulder is acceptable. But patting oneself on the head is different, and not acceptable.
No one deserves a pat on the head.
Patting oneself on the head is tantamount to imposing oneself on another person. Look, if this person raises your eyebrows, you’ll be tempted to seek them out.
This gives them a feeling of superiority over you. It’s especially rude if that person is not your friend or family member.
17) Communicate with a lot of sarcasm
Sarcastic statements can be funny and rude because they resemble an actual lie.
If you hear someone making a lot of sarcastic remarks like “yeah, right,” “whatever,” or “really,” that’s a sign of a condescending person.
This type of behavior is rooted in anger, distrust, and weakness.
They are used to talking sarcastically. They couldn’t bring themselves to say what they meant directly. They also don’t realize that they are hurting other people’s feelings.
They even say the opposite of what is true to make someone feel or look foolish.
18) Unhappy for you
A condescending person will always find a reason to make you feel inferior.
Even if you’re excited about your trip out of town, they’ll tell you, “You won’t enjoy your stay there.”
Or if you have a big project coming up, they might say, “You can’t handle that much work.”
Instead of getting their support, you may feel a sense of jealousy.
