To be better about seeing pretentious people notice 7 things.

I must confess, my experience on LinkedIn over the past several years has been overwhelmingly positive.

I have been blessed with incredible support and I have made some remarkable friends that will last a lifetime.

I can count on one had the number of people that attempted to “drop by” and spew they vitriol of hatred.?

It was normally triggered by something I said.? It’s interesting to observe the behavior of voyeuristic malcontents who stalk people on social media waiting to insight an argument.? I just block anyone that can’t find something positive to say, and I suggest you do the same.

But periodically we bump into a person that seems to have it all together.

They enjoy widespread popularity on the platform and appear polished and sincere.

One woman reached out to me last year to request I be a guest on her podcast.

I agreed and we finally planned the conversation.?

30 minutes of small talk revealed she was more interested in talking about the weather.? She wanted someone to discuss catastrophe and climate change, and I was more interested in leadership and personal improvement.????? ???

I arranged to have one of our ace meteorologists join her podcast, and she made numerous promises in return.

My daughter was planning to attend college 60 minutes from her home, and she offered to meet her for lunch and possibly become a mentor.

My daughter did extensive research and prepared for the conversation.? The only problem, the woman never returned my text messages or e mails.

My point.? Pretentious people will say and do anything to convince us their kind, giving and generous.? The problem, they are not.? It’s an act.

When it comes time to keeping a promise, if it isn’t convenient or serves their best interest, pretentious people flake.

I can handle smug ostentatious snobs.? However, don’t involve my children in your disingenuous charade.

I imagine that the intelligent people are the ones so intelligent that they don't even need or want to look 'intelligent' anymore. -?Author: Criss Jami

To be aware of pretentious people recognize 7 signs:

Admiration

Pretentious people aren’t really interested in getting to know you.? If you have something they need, they will “tolerate” your company.? They are more interested in your admiration and accolades.? Attention is their aphrodisiac.

Status

Pretentious people crave status and power, and its obvious.? Life is all about “stuff”, material success and aesthetic beauty.? These people are one dimensional and put way too much emphasis on impressing people with their professional accomplishment.? This woman had to point out the four houses she owns and how many important friends she has.?

Superior

Pretentious people can’t resist demonstrating how important they are, and it often comes at your expense.? They utilize stories to make their life seem exciting and leverage social media to broadcast their remarkable accomplishments and lifestyle.? They have a superiority complex that’s covered up in false humility.

Defensive

Pretentious people demand respect and resent anyone that doesn’t shower them with approbation.? Anyone who attempts to criticize them is an immediate adversary.? They aren’t interested in learning new ideas; they demand consensus.? Pretentious people are defensive and capable of retribution.? They will stab you in the back while they smile "acting" kind in the process.?

Compensate

Pretentious people are insecure.? Many cover up their inadequacies with makeup and muscles, but plenty of people obsessed with “appearance” have fragile egos that demand constant adoration.? To compensate for their insecurities, pretentious people act untouchable and convey an attitude of perfection.

Judgmental

Listen carefully enough and you will hear a common theme.? Pretentious people are judgmental, and they really don’t like alternative opinions or feedback, if it isn’t flattering.? Being closed minded and overly opinionated can come across rather poorly, when we release the need to judge we gain a much healthier perspective on life that’s much less pretentious.?? ?

Humility

Pretentious people don’t listen well, because they can’t wait to assert their opinion.? Great conversations have balance and require humility.? False modesty is nauseating, and pretentious people feel compelled to “one up” everyone.? They brag about where they went to school, who they know, and their job titles.? The world they reside in is based on superficial parameters and its obvious.

In my view, aiming at simplicity and lucidity is a moral duty of all intellectuals: lack of clarity is a sin, and?pretentiousness?is a crime. -?Author: Karl Popper

Sum it up.

Any other tips for recognizing pretentious people?? Share your thoughts in the comments section and please like and share this article. I love learning from you as well.

About Steve:

Steve Wohlenhaus is CEO of Weatherology, the leading company in the world at disseminating audio weather information.?? Steve began his career as a major market television weather anchor in Minneapolis, where he received several Emmy Awards for science programming.? Steve is an author and host of the podcast program Anatomy of Success.? Reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn.? Learn more about my work and grab the free Weatherology mobile app by clicking any picture in this article!