There was a really cool article in the Wall Street Journal on a new twist to an old faux pas . . . The “Humble Brag”!
The “Humble Brag” is a brag that is disguised as an ordinary statement to help posture the person making the statement.
Harris Wittels (a stand up comedian and one of the writers for the NBC show Parks & Recreation) has a rather strong opinion about this practice and had this to say:
“I think bragging sucks, don’t get me wrong, but I get it. What I hate about a humble brag is that people try to come off like they aren’t bragging. It’s people not being honest about their intention. Just tell us you are at an exclusive party. Don’t hide it behind a complaint about your dress not fitting.”
Harris decided to have some fun with this whole concept of “Humble Brag” and actually set up a Twitter account called . . . @humblebrag where they retweet examples of humble brag throughout the Twitterverse.
Some Examples:
And you might even remember these Humble Brags from good old “Uncle Paul”
Actually, the last two were more “Humble BS” but just know it felt really good playing “let’s pretend I have something to ‘Humble Brag’ about” 🙂
“Humble Brag” isn’t limited to celebrities and or people on Twitter gang.
I bet each of us in our own (tad more modest) way, might be guilty of some inadvertent humble bragging.
Perhaps to our clients?
Maybe our co workers?
Family, friends, neighbors?
An obvious clue is when people give you the old “eye roll” or retract from you as if they are catching a stank coming off of your words.(or that might just be your breath)
Other clues might be people avoiding you, not taking your calls (or returning them)
And should you ever catch yourself knee deep in the act of a “Humble Brag”, sprinkle a little “Humble Humility” rinse and repeat!
Any who, I gotta go because my Rolex tells me its time for me to walk my Armani clad rear end over to my wife, and argue over who takes the Rolls and who takes the Bentley to work this week! FML!
Here’s to keeping it real!
Paul Castain trains individuals and teams to be lethal. For more information on how you can work with this non humble bragging Jedi, by all means click here
Paul, I hardly ever do this sort of thing, possible exception being when I have to pick the Vette up at the car spa so I can hurry home to catch the sunset off the back dock. That’s probably the only time.
That’s always acceptable Jim.
I’m jealous because once I usually remember to catch the sunset, its a good 10 minutes for me to get from one end of my estate to the other.
The amusement park on my west coast estate totally obstructs the sunset which is why I will only go there at night.
Thanks Jim 🙂
Paul, I hardly ever do this sort of thing, possible exception being when I have to pick the Vette up at the car spa so I can hurry home to catch the sunset off the back dock. That’s probably the only time.
That’s always acceptable Jim.
I’m jealous because once I usually remember to catch the sunset, its a good 10 minutes for me to get from one end of my estate to the other.
The amusement park on my west coast estate totally obstructs the sunset which is why I will only go there at night.
Thanks Jim 🙂
So true Paul……………..oops, sorry, I have to go, gotta a meeting at Buckingham Palace in 10 minutes.
He’s so demanding that Prince William!!!!!!!!
That reminds me . . . I left my guitar over there last week and need to go get it 🙂
So true Paul……………..oops, sorry, I have to go, gotta a meeting at Buckingham Palace in 10 minutes.
He’s so demanding that Prince William!!!!!!!!
That reminds me . . . I left my guitar over there last week and need to go get it 🙂
I love it! It’s like within the Church a really good way to gossip is to share “Well you know Sheila’s husband has been sleeping on the couch, we really need to pray for that marriage.” Gossip under the guise of concern.
Perhaps they should write a post on “Humble Gossip”? Elizabeth 🙂
It’s the one thing I like most about you Paul, you’re so down to earth. You could also mention your Lamborghini Gallardo or Ferrari 458, but you stick to your ordinary cars.
Thanks for being genuine,
Wim
Wim . . . I just laughed so hard I almost spilled my coffee all over a few of the writers for the Oprah Winfrey show.
Thanks Wim! 🙂
Oh yeah I see that behavior a lot, but not on Twitter, more like in RL, from a selected amount of people who like to feel they are elite but they really are full of BS. It doesn’t bother me to be honest, just makes me laugh :p
It can actually be quite entertaining if you just take it with a grain of salt . . . that’s what I told Madonna last night over Tequila. I even took another shot and really emphasized the salt to prove the point. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Gabriele!
Oh yeah I see that behavior a lot, but not on Twitter, more like in RL, from a selected amount of people who like to feel they are elite but they really are full of BS. It doesn’t bother me to be honest, just makes me laugh :p
This is similar to the folks who have to tell you about all of their appointments, rather than simply saying that they are not available at the proposed time.
My usual response is along the lines of, “Gosh you are important aren’t you!”
Sorry, I didn’t see this sooner but I had back to back appointments. No time to respond I have to race to next appointment 🙂
Good one Jacqui!
This is similar to the folks who have to tell you about all of their appointments, rather than simply saying that they are not available at the proposed time.
My usual response is along the lines of, “Gosh you are important aren’t you!”
Sorry, I didn’t see this sooner but I had back to back appointments. No time to respond I have to race to next appointment 🙂
Good one Jacqui!
I never knew what to call that! It usually comes at me in the form of other parents. “My son didn’t really want the lead in this play because he’s so busy being on the academic decathlon team, president of the dance club and writing his thesis on friendship. So happy for YOU though. Way to go!” **Urge to strangle**
That’s when you say . . . “Wow seems like your child is incredibly smart . . . do they take after your spouse?” 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Lisa. Gotta go help my kids decide on which Ivy League school they will go to. 🙂
Ever since Brian Tracy noticed me doing this, I’ve stopped “humble bragging”, especially around my colleagues like Richard Branson and Paul Allen. They just hate that stuff!
🙂
🙂
🙂
Paul
A little off subject
Did you see Oprah’s last show today
You would have loved it
you always say “everyone has a story” and she agreed and said
everyone needs validation(from the nobody to the somebody)
She said we all need to say “I see you, I hear you and I care what you have to say”
Show the love baby
You could have been on her show…
Regards
John
Paul
A little off subject
Did you see Oprah’s last show today
You would have loved it
you always say “everyone has a story” and she agreed and said
everyone needs validation(from the nobody to the somebody)
She said we all need to say “I see you, I hear you and I care what you have to say”
Show the love baby
You could have been on her show…
Regards
John
Brilliant! I know – shall I say – more than a few that Humble Brag (and dare I say it HBS) in and out of the professional world!!! This did make me smile. Shame is those who brag tend to have deep insecurities. Must go now I’m late for my 2.30 with the PM :oD
Brilliant! I know – shall I say – more than a few that Humble Brag (and dare I say it HBS) in and out of the professional world!!! This did make me smile. Shame is those who brag tend to have deep insecurities. Must go now I’m late for my 2.30 with the PM :oD