Arrogant people: their 4 typical characteristics and how to deal with them
When we interact with others, we have to enter into a kind of tension game in which we have to match our own perspective, on the one hand, and that of others, on the other. And this is not always easy since each individual has a series of characteristics, beliefs and different ways of acting.
Arrogant people are those who fail to take into account the perspective of others., and this is noticeable both in their social life and in the discomfort they cause in others. How to recognize them?
- Related article: "Spiteful people: 10 traits and attitudes that characterize them"
Characteristics of arrogant people
When it comes to detecting signs that help us determine whether or not we are facing an arrogant person, these traits can serve as an orientation, although each individual is different.
1. They treat those who are not there with contempt.
Arrogant people have a special tendency to detract from what others do, and to criticize. This is a way of trying to gain “social value” relatively easily and simple, although also cruel and deceitful, since the other is not there to defend himself and the fact of bringing up their supposed imperfections creates the illusion that whoever is talking about them doesn't have that kind of defects.
2. They do not pay attention to other people's opinions
There is only one case where especially arrogant people take into account how others react to what they say: if there is clear rejection or disagreement. If not, the most common is who react very little to the opinions and points of view of others.
- You may be interested in: "Active listening: the key to communicating with others"
3. They brag freely
Another type of behavior typical of arrogant people consists of appeal to their merits or privileges very easily, even if the course of the conversation does not require it because topics related to those are not covered.
This is, in short, another of those ways in which people with these propensities try to give importance to themselves in their social life. In extreme cases, it is even possible to lie clearly, or to exaggerate their feats and not bring up their defects or imperfections.
4. They are cruel to the most timid
This is a way of creating a certain territoriality, showing everyone that you don't have too many qualms about when putting another person in a vulnerable situation, or even humiliating them, sometimes for no reason clear. In this way, it is about establishing the idea that it is best to treat these arrogant people with deference.
It's some kind of blackmail: The importance given to them comes because this type of treatment is imposed, not because they have really earned a leadership position or something similar.
How to treat them?
When interacting with arrogant people, and assuming that your goal is not to get involved in them to make them change for the better (something that requires a time, effort and preparation that not everyone is willing to put on the table) but to make the dialogue as fluid and smooth as possible, you can follow these tips.
1. do not show submission
Arrogant people tend to take advantage of the way others submit to them, something relatively common due to the haughty attitude of the former. There are those who automatically, spontaneously and semi-consciously let themselves be carried away by that dynamic of domination that the arrogant person imposes on them. a conversation, and from the point of view of the party that "leads" that dialogue, this makes it possible to exploit that situation to their advantage own.
Therefore, it is important to be respected and express oneself assertively, without renouncing one's own opinions and interests, no matter how much that implies going against it.
2. avoid the drama
It is common for arrogant people to create a narrative framework (that is, a communicative context in which to interpret certain things and not others) in which any attempt to contradict them is seen as an outburst, an eccentricity. In this way, for example, by not treating them with deference or granting them special privileges, they react as if we have said something ridiculous, sometimes even with a hint of paternalism and condescension.
Given this, which can even be considered a form of gaslightingyou have to stand firm. The criteria that oneself uses to relate to others is as valid as that of any other. It is convenient to return the dialogue to its normal course, without showing that we are trying to compensate a grievance.
3. Get to the point
The best thing to counteract that pseudo-importance that the other person gives to himself, it's best to just not give it to yourself. Treat her exactly the same as anyone else, but don't show surprise at her attempts to be dramatically upset.
Maintaining a neutral and polite but assertive attitude is always good in these cases, and if you perceive that the conversation is going astray, it is best to leave cordially.