What Makes People Be Like This?

I started writing this post a few months ago and have never finished it. It's not a problem as it has a deep meaning and with topics like this, I don't like to rush into writing. To avoid being too subjective about the topic, I prefer to wait for a bit, let my thoughts settle first.

Not long ago life has dealt me some cards and as a consequence, I had to work with a person I've never met before, for three whole days. He has been recommended by a trusted person, as a professional and I can now confirm he is indeed a good professional, no disappointment in that regard. However, after finishing work, there was something that I could not get out of my head and made me think of what makes people become like him.

When you meet a person you've never seen in your life, it's normal to share things about yourself, to get to know each other. It's a normal process that is inevitable basically, especially if you have to work with the person. This is what happened here the first day, especially that we had a mutual acquaintance and the person I had to work with was close to my age too. Chatting was easy and enjoyable as well but after the first day, the balance tilted in a different direction. I had to realize that was not just getting to know each other, but a way for the guy to show me he's superior in many regards.

Somehow I have a gift in this regard and can see right away when someone is trying to show off or to use a more common term, trying to convince me that they are better or in a better position. In cases like this, I kind of take a step back as I see where the whole thing is going and let the other party speak or show off. I don't judge, if they feel the need to do so, let them do it, but I can't stop wondering why is there a need at all? Why people are doing that?

This was not a rare or isolated case as you see this going on every blessing day, wherever you go. there's always someone vocal about their activity, their achievement. Most of the times these are unsolicited, meaning the topic doesn't come up in a conversation, but the person starts speaking about them out of their own initiative.

With all the social media platforms we have today, there's a trend to do this. These platforms facilitate sharing, which can be useful for many, especially when you have family and friends abroad, but there is a line many have crossed decades ago and it looks like the whole thing has become a must. A must to show more than others, a must to do better than the others, and all this for all the wrong reasons.

The sad part of the whole thing is, most of these people feed their ego with Likes on social media platforms, or convincing themselves that the others are jealous of them for having what they have, or doing what they do and this is really bad.

We are all different and obviously each to their own, but when your happiness and joy is based on the reaction of the others, I don't think you're on the right path. Imagine when the targeted parties reacting with a big dose of indifference to your boasting, what do you do? Disappointment kicks in and you're miserable.

This has become a competition, a really unhealthy competition between people, which can have serious financial and emotional consequences. I'm seeing families destroyed because brothers, sisters are competing with each other. As kids, competing is inevitable, but as adults, things should be different. One should be happy and proud of the achievements of the other and they should work together towards achieving their goals, but unfortunately you rarely see this.

I can consider myself lucky in this regard as there's no such thing in my family, no one feels the need to compete with the other or boast constantly and I'm distancing myself from relatives who fit the profile. No thanks, life is difficult enough as it is, I don't need this nonsense in my life.

However, the question remains unanswered. What makes people be like this?

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