To the Very Pretentious Person

We all encounter people who act like they’re walking encyclopedias, right? But do we know what really makes someone pretentious? Believe it or not, identifying certain behaviors can help us spot these show-offs. You might just recognize someone you know!

They constantly name-drop

You know the type. They’re always trying to impress by mentioning famous or influential people they supposedly know or have met. "Oh, did I ever tell you about the time I bumped into Elon Musk at a conference?” or “My close friend, who just so happens to be a renowned author, once told me…”. If every conversation includes a celebrity cameo, that’s a big red flag. It's as if they’re saying their worth is dependent on the important people they know. Isn't that concerning?

They love to use fancy words

Ever had a chat with someone who suddenly throws in words like ‘quintessential’ or ‘antidisestablishmentarianism’? If you need a dictionary to understand what they’re saying, chances are, you’re talking to a pretentious person. They love using complex words and phrases, often unnecessarily. It’s their way of showing off their ‘superior’ vocabulary. But let’s be real, communication is about understanding each other, not about showing off how many complicated words we know.

So, if someone is constantly talking in riddles or using words that even auto-correct can’t identify, you’ve probably found your pretentious person!

They always have to be right

We’ve all had those conversations where the other person just won’t accept they’re wrong, even when it’s clear as day. I once had a friend who absolutely insisted that the capital of Australia was Sydney. No matter how many times I told him it’s actually Canberra, he just wouldn’t budge. He even tried to convince me that my geography teacher had it all wrong! This need to always be right, even in the face of undeniable facts, is a classic sign of a pretentious person. They’re more interested in appearing smart than learning something new or admitting their mistakes.

They can’t appreciate simple things

Pretentious people often have a knack for dismissing the simple pleasures of life. For example, they might turn their noses up at a plain cheese pizza or scorn popular movies and music, opting instead for obscure foreign films or avant-garde jazz. It is actually shown that people who appreciate simple, everyday experiences, like a beautiful sunset or a good cup of coffee, tend to be happier and more satisfied with life.

On the contrary, those who constantly seek out highbrow or ‘sophisticated’ experiences may miss out on these simple joys. So if someone can’t enjoy the simple things in life without making it complicated or ‘classy’, you’ve probably spotted a pretentious behavior!

They always want to stand out

Pretentious people often have a deep-seated need to stand out from the crowd, to be seen as different or special. This isn’t just about having a unique style or personality, which can be a wonderful thing. It’s about doing things for the sole purpose of drawing attention and setting themselves apart. For example, they might wear outrageously expensive designer clothes when everyone else is dressed casually, or loudly express controversial opinions just to get a reaction. Here’s something to remember: it’s okay to blend in. It’s okay to be ‘ordinary’.

True individuality comes from being yourself, not from a desperate need to appear different.

They criticize more than they compliment

I remember a colleague who seemed to have a knack for finding faults. Whether it was the coffee at the office, the new guy’s presentation skills, or even the weather, nothing was ever good enough for her. She would criticize everything and seldom had a good word to say about anyone or anything. Now, being critical isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can help us improve and grow. But when it becomes a habit and overshadows any form of appreciation or positivity, it becomes a pretentious behavior.

They’re never impressed

Pretentious people are the masters of the ‘meh’. Nothing seems to impress them. They’ve seen it all, done it all, and of course, they’ve done it better. Your new job? They’ve had a better one. Your vacation photos? They’ve been to more exotic places. Your favorite restaurant? They know a place that’s much better. This perpetual lack of enthusiasm or inability to be impressed by anything is a classic sign of pretentious behavior. It’s as if they’re saying, “I’m so superior that nothing can amaze me.” So, if someone never seems impressed by anything, chances are, you’ve got a pretentious person on your hands,

"The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is the pretense of intelligent ignorance. The former is teachable; the latter is not" _Criss Jami

Lead image was taken from unsplash.com