How do you deal with the people in your life who think they’re a lot smarter and more important than they really are?
Around TownSally Parsons
Programs specialist
Oh, we all know people like that, right? Typically, I’ll listen to them politely, offer a few alternative or sometimes even opposing viewpoints, and I always try to do that without rolling my eyes.
Sam Miller and Zeke
College student
I never call anyone out for acting smarter and more important than they really are because everyone is smart in their own way. I try to be respectful, but based on my life’s experience I’ve learned that most of the people who really are very smart and important, are quite humble and unassuming.
Vincent Barletta
College student
I usually prod them with some leading questions to figure out why they believe they are so well-versed about something, especially if I know more about the subject than they do. They tend to get stumped and dial back a bit. It’s a great strategy.
Kim Chi
Medical receptionist
The people who act that way don’t even recognize those qualities in themselves because they really believe they are smarter and more important than everyone else. I have very little patience for people like that, so I usually just do my best to avoid them.
Madison Gallagher
High school Spanish teacher
I just let them live and be however they are, so long as it doesn’t impact me negatively. I don’t try to convince them they don’t know what they’re talking about because their mind is already made up and I don’t want to waste my breath.
— Compiled by Nancy and Jeff Lewis
