\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Full Definition of condescending: showing or characterized by a patronizing or superior attitude toward others. Sometimes, condescending people will interrupt you to correct you about a fact or your pronunciation (and they probably wont be very polite about it, either). If youre dealing with a condescending coworker, it might also be a good idea to talk with your boss about it. Condescending people fail to read the room and have problems deciding what is appropriate to say. Theyll bring their weaknesses into the conversation and make sure that everyone knows about it, even if the person is someone close to them. One of the most hurtful things condescending people do is tell you how to feel. Condescending people dont know how to deal with people who are different from them, especially if the people have bigger success than them or a more positive personality than they do. As we have mentioned, a condescending person has a big ego. Other ways they may show their lack of respect is by reducing you to gender specific nicknames like sweetheart or bro.. Call Him on It. Respond to a condescending jerk with anger, and theyll often use it as proof of their assumed superiority. Please do your own research before making any online purchase. Often due to their own insecurities and trying to hide the fact that they feel inferior. "I hate this," Minhaj chided. So if you make a joke about them its going to show them that youre careless and doesnt take them seriously. Whenever possible, put yourself in the others shoes before speaking. 6. If the consensus is that a certain person is hell to be around, stage an intervention. Other peoples achievements dont really matter to them. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. When dealing with a condescending person, the best thing to do is to stay calm and composed. Condescending people think theyre better than everyone else. And keep track of who else witnessed each incident. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. WebSometimes, the tone of a persons voice or the way that they say things can come across as condescending, but theyre actually trying to be helpful. Dont take it personally. Condescending Meaning A condescending person is someone You were my favorite player growing up and I respect your game." Dont get upset by what theyre saying because it will just make their aggression worse. Putting other people down is a clear sign of insecurity, you know. And then youll be able to deal with them in a way that makes sense and you wont feel angry anymore. You keep calm and carry on. Use whatever excuse comes to mind, or simply interrupt them with If you do, you should consider setting some boundaries and teaching people how to treat you. If the person talking down to you is a non-factor in your life, it might be best to walk away and cease all contact. 11. If someone steps on your toes, tell them. If someone consistently makes disparaging remarks about you in front of your coworkers, calmly ask to speak with them privately. Theyll constantly tell you to do things a certain way, and theyll never listen to what the other person is saying. But the responses given here will have a stronger and more satisfying effect. If that is the case you have come to the right place to figure this out. Arrogant people have a knack for hurting other people's feelings. Sometimes deciding if a person is actually being condescending or if its all in your head is difficult. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Its only because they care about you and want you to be happy that theyre trying to push your buttons. Recognize passive aggression and respond appropriately. 1. And if they see that you really arent like them, then hopefully itll make them go back to thinking about whats important in the conversation instead of trying to push your buttons. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Resolving the situation is dependent on your response to their transgressions. It is important to differentiate rudeness from abusive behavior. When someone talks down to you in a way that imposes familiarity, their goal is to manipulate you. One of the worst things you can do when dealing with condescending people is to lose your composure with them. People who speak condescendingly to others are often those who feel superior in some way. So avoiding aggressive expressions is extremely important. Condescending people often lack emotional intelligence, so they struggle to understand how other people are feeling or what their problems are about. informal behaving in a way that shows that you do not think someone or something is good or important enough for you. "I respect your game. You dont want to reinforce someones condescending behavior, but you need to remember one thing: Condescending people are actually insecure. 13. If the intent of their statement was sharp, this would dull it in a jiffy. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. To help you recollect those moments, here are a few maddening examples of talking down to someone: Now, make your own list of examples from your own experience. See additional information. Give them feedback, including how it will benefit them to stop. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in hybrid therapy and coaching services, couples counseling, and clinical hypnotherapy. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What Does It Mean to Be Condescending to Someone? Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Dont give them the satisfaction. They act as if they know everything, even things they might not have full knowledge about, but theyll pretend that they do. More than anything, though, you want to handle this in a way that you wont have reason to regret. They lack both emotional intelligence and self-awareness, so they cant properly express themselves. Communication is key here, especially if youre upset about something. The best way to bring someones lofty sense of self-importance down to earth is to call out the behavior. If you find yourself in conversation with a person who makes no effort whatsoever to pronounce or spell your name right, they are acting condescending towards you. Because then they will be admitting that someone can achieve things that they cant. What better way to illustrate how someone is making you feel than to mirror their actions back to them? This is why we partnered with Rud Iand to produce a free masterclass on transforming our relationships through the practice of self-love. Dont talk to me that way. Deep down, they dont believe it, either. If youre walking toward each other, make eye contact then abruptly turn away and take another route. An important thing you can say is to use I instead of You. You would hope the same from them if you spoke out of turn. condescension Add to list Share. Did Someone Betray You? I love how you think youre being smart, its so cute. WebAustralian informal an insulting word for a person who you think is silly or stupid. Condescending people often lack both empathy and emotional intelligence, so they dont think of other people while theyre speaking. snobbish It was no longer the same person. They rarely talk about their personal lives or things that are bothering them. WebCondescending adjective. You know this is just something they do maybe because thats the way theyre used to talking to others. But if someone is persistently condescending, youll pick up on it and it will certainly grate on you. WebSo, if someone wants to accuse you of acting like a child, just because you want to put your feet up, let them know that they are insulting you using incorrect words. No one likes being talked down to. 2. In the schoolyard, this healthcare provider was a bully. Use I statements to communicate how you feel and what youre thinking. Example: Your shoulder strap is wandering a bit, dear. I have managed to do this without trying on a few occasions. Now, this isnt the best way to handle a condescending person, but it will definitely spur some kind of action. Because they want to make it appear like other people dont have as much authority as them. (10 Tips for Handling This! They wont respect the people who are different and theyll try to use force or actions to make them seem inferior. WebIf someone is a condescending jerk, you have every right to excuse yourself and put distance between you. That will just worsen the situation. If you ever call them out on it, condescending people will probably say something like, Chill out, or, Relax. This is a way of belittling your feelings, and its very patronizing. Youre making yourself look pretty silly right now. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. (Comebacks), How to Be the Center of Attention Without Trying (Simple Ways). Some people simply arent worth the time and emotional effort necessary to work through your issues with them. Its currently playing on The Vessel (one of our partners) but only for a limited time. Blogging about a wide range of topics to help facilitate a better future. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Unfortunately, were not taught how to love ourselves from an early age. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Oftentimes, 20 Perfect Comebacks For Dealing With Condescending People, most disrespectful things you can encounter, 15 Immediate Warning Signs You're Dealing With A Toxic Person, 'Bad' Personality Traits Explained And 12 That Are Actually 'Good', use "emotional blackmail" to make others bow, 17 Grotesque Signs Of A Toxic Relationship, 12 Ways To Deal With People Who Think They Know Everything, 20 Signs You're An Extremely Toxic Person & Are Difficult To Be Around, If He Does These 5 Things, He's Not Chivalrous He's Manipulative, The 3 Things People Immediately Judge You On When You First Meet Them, 5 Immediate Signs Of A Toxic, Passive-Aggressive Person, 10 Little Habits That Make You IRRESISTIBLY Attractive. As Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit says, condescending people have a need to always be right. If this is the case you have come to the right place. In every peer group. WebA condescending person might say something like, Well, I would agree with you, but then wed both be wrong. 2 They may be trying to prove how smart they are. They also struggle to understand other peoples emotional distress, so they just dont know how to react. This enables a condescending person to give themselves the air of superiority that they crave. Most people get caught out not knowing what to do in the moment, and this can haunt you if youre belittled or embarrassed in front of a group of people. A licensed therapist can help to uncover the issues causing you to allow people to devalue you and help you put a stop to it. Assuming a tone of superiority, or a patronizing attitude. A Large Ego Is a Cover-Up. And, on the flip side, if youve been told that you can be condescending, there are some ways you can actively work on it to foster better relationships with your coworkers, partners, and friends. Im Lachlan Brown, the editor of Ideapod and founder of Hack Spirit. Last Updated: November 29, 2022 Even if they did something wrong, they wont apologize because it will make them look stupid and inferior. Hold that thought, Ill get back to you this side of the next century. RELATED: If He Does These 5 Things, He's Not Chivalrous He's Manipulative. In others, a more direct, diplomatic approach will get the best results. Their attitude of superiority can be really annoying. So, how do you deal with someone who talks down to you? Condescending people always put themselves first, and theyll never talk about what other people need or want. They will always be looking for a way to prove how right they are and how wrong the other person is. WebKeep consistent and they may eventually leave the situation. Condescending people have no desire to work through your feelings. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. I'm sorry you feel so insecure about your own life. 12. It can be incredibly hurtful and upsetting being on the end of condescending or patronizing remarks. Avoid engaging in any kind of argument, as this will only aggravate the situation. Someone might look away because they feel shy and find it easier to []. If you to want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Twitter or Facebook. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you didn't know how offensive that comment is. Then, you two can talk it out and come up with a solution together. 2. If you get upset and start yelling, or retaliate in a similar fashion, theyll feel that their behavior toward you has been validated. 14. If you are having trouble establishing those all-important boundaries with the bad actors in your life, you should seek professional help. Sometimes, the only thing you can do is (1) recognize the fear or dislike behind these statements, and (2) walk away. 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