Arrogant people: their 4 typical characteristics and how to deal with them

They try to maintain a dominant position in every conversation. What to do when talking to them?

When we relate to others, we have to enter into a kind of game of tensions in which we have to make the perspective of ourselves, on the one hand, and that of others, on the other, fit together. And this is not always easy, since each individual has a different set of characteristics, beliefs and ways of acting.

Arrogant people are those who fail to take into account the perspective of others, and this is noticeable both in their behavior and in the way they act.How to recognize them?

Characteristics of arrogant people

When it comes to detecting signs that help us determine whether or not we are in front of an arrogant person, these traits can serve as a guide, 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 This is a way of trying to gain "social value" in a relatively easy and simple way, but also cruel and deceitful. This is a way of trying to gain "social value" in a relatively easy and simple way, although also cruel and deceitful, since the other person is not there to defend him/herself and the fact of bringing up their supposed imperfections creates the illusion that the one who is talking about them does not have those kinds of flaws.

2. They do not pay attention to the opinions of others.

There is only one case in which particularly arrogant people take into account how others react to what they say: if a clear rejection or disagreement is shown. Otherwise, the most common is react very little to the opinions and points of view of others..

3. They boast gratuitously

Another type of behavior typical of arrogant people consists of They are very easy to appeal to their merits or privileges, even if the course of the conversationeven if the course of the conversation does not require it because no related topics are being discussed.

This is, in short, another of those ways in which people with these propensities try to give themselves importance in their social life. In extreme cases, they may even lie outright, or overemphasize their accomplishments and fail to bring up their flaws or imperfections.

4. They are cruel to the more timid ones.

This is a way of creating a certain territoriality, showing everyone that you do not have too many qualms about putting another person in a vulnerable situation, or even humiliating them, sometimes for no clear reason. In this way, the idea is established that it is best to treat these arrogant people with deference.

It is a kind of blackmailThe importance given to them comes because this kind of treatment is imposed, not because they have really earned a position of leadership or anything like that.

How to treat them?

When interacting with arrogant people, and assuming that your goal is not to get involved with them to make them change for the better (something that requires time, effort and preparation that not everyone is willing to put on the table) but to make the dialogue as smooth and as uneventful as possible, you can follow these tips.

1. Don't show submission

Arrogant people tend to take advantage of the way in which others submit to them, something relatively common because of the haughty attitude of the former. Some people automatically, spontaneously and semi-consciously allow themselves to be carried away by this dynamic of domination that the arrogant person imposes in a conversation, and from the point of view of the party "leading" this dialogue, this makes it possible to exploit this situation for their own benefit.

Therefore, it is important to it is important to be respected and express oneself assertively, without renouncing one's own opinions and interests, even if that means being contrary.

2. Avoid dramas

Something common with arrogant people is to create a narrative framework (i.e., a communicative context in which to interpret certain things and not others) in which any attempt to contradict them is seen as a way out of tune, an eccentricity. In this way, for example, by not treating them with deference or granting them special privileges.In this way, for example, by not treating them with deference or granting them special privileges, they react as if we had said something ridiculous, sometimes even with a hint of paternalism and condescension.

In the face of this, which can even be considered a form of gaslighting, we must stand firm. The criteria one uses to relate to others are as valid as those of any other person. It is advisable to return the dialogue to its normal course, without showing that you are trying to compensate for a grievance.

3. Get to the point

The best way to counteract the pseudo-importance that the other person gives him/herself, the best thing to do is simply not to give it to yourself.. Treat him or her exactly the same as you would anyone else, but do not show surprise at his or her attempts to be upset in a dramatic way.

Maintaining a neutral and polite but assertive attitude is always good in these cases, and if you perceive that the conversation is going down a bad path, the best thing to do is to leave cordially.