I’m on another rant today that I have to get off my chest. Why is it that other people have to try to one up you on how bad you feel? How pathetic is that? I made one simple comment recently that I was just getting over strep throat and the person I was talking to had to try and one up me on that! “Well, I had this and this and blah, blah, blah and at least you don’t feel like blah, blah, blah. I can top that – I had strep throat X times last year.”
It reminds me of the fishing and hunting tales that men will discuss. I refuse to be a part of that and it is so irritating to me!
For one, it is not good emotionally to play into those games and it can be very draining and our bodies cannot handle to be drained anymore. I am not a child and I refuse to take part in childish behavior, so I try to stay clear as much as possible. We have enough to deal with and do not need this added frustration on top of everything else.
Okay, I feel better now that I got that out!
Unfortunately, many people have a low self-esteem that manifests itself in needing to have the most important story. They feel they draw attention to themselves, and the pity goes to them over you. If you always remember that there are plenty of people who have it better than you as well as plenty of people who have it worse than you, you can keep your own life in perspective.
If nothing else, you can look at that person and think, “Wow, you really are sicker than me,” and you’ll feel better that at least that mental issue isn’t in your list of ailments. 🙂
Leah, How true! That does make me feel better to know that my self-esteeom is not that low that I have to act like that! I love your blog, by the way!
hmpf, that sounds like my step-mom, anything I every say she’s got to try to one up me. She’s done it faster, slower, farther, nearer, longer, shorter, better and smarter than I could ever try to imagine doing myself (NOT!). Nice to know that she’s that way because of low self-esteem. Thanks! Now when she “goes on” I can just smile about it. 🙂
Cassandra, We can smile and know that we are the better people for not being so childish!!
Remember, no response is key with this kind of person. It’s the same thing with the know-it-alls who can’t seem to have a normal conversation. These people are very frustrating, because our natural instinct is to want to share our own story, but if you remember that you are only continuing to play their game, and they are winning every time you respond to their sickness, you will be able to step back, take the deep breath, and think about something more pleasant.