Bloody Superiority Complex

[Soviet Heavy]

They piss me off. Some people who are just convinced that they are better than you for the choices they've made. So far, I'm stuck with two of them in my University Residence.

One of them pointed out how I was drinking a Dairy Supplement beverage instead of Real Milk, and decided to go on a diatribe about how bad the drink is for you and how much better milk is. Yes, I know that milk is better for me, but when it was the only thing coming close to an actual dairy product available on Campus, I had to make compromises. And it is not like drinking it now and again is going to make me fat or unhealthy. Only a constant consumption can lead to that.

The second is a fucking annoying Vegetarian. I have nothing against people if they don't want to eat meat, but the minute they start rubbing it in my face as if it somehow makes them better people is when I get pissed off.

So these two start criticizing my diet and I start to get mad. I don't see how it is any of their fucking business what I eat. I don't talk back about what they eat, but if they keep up I'm considering it, because they're pissing me off.

So, rant aside, ever encountered someone with a raging ego or superiority complex? How did you deal with them?

 

[LiberalSquirrel]

Eh, there's people with huge superiority complexes wherever you go in life, as far as I've seen.

I deal with them the only way you can deal with them: by ignoring 'em.

 

[Zoraste]

Violence. People with superiority complexes that enormous won't be swayed by words, and really, they won't be swayed by violence either, but it is a lot of fun and very satisfying. So yeah, next time they're pissing you off by criticizing your food choices or whatever, just try punching them right in the head.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

You are not the only person to live with someone like that at university.

She thought she was better than everybody and smarter than everybody, ironic, considering she was doing a web design course and I was doing law & criminology (not to say that I think I'm better for doing that course, but it certainly requires more effort).

She refused to ever admit she was wrong about anything (and she was wrong a lot) and when people called her out on it, she flipped her shit and would scream "I'm right, I'm always right!"


Damn, I hated that *****.

 

[the spud]

I know how I would deal with me: By giving me lots of praise and money because I am clearly superior, obviously.

In all seriousness, just ignore them, and if they don't stop, call them out on it. Politely explain that your diet is none of their concern and that you would like to be left alone.

 

[vrbtny]

People with superiority complexes are quiet often weedy and kinda dorky. Deckin' em is perhaps the funnest, and most effective way of dealing with them. Seriously, they can preach all they want about how much better they are than you - but if you beat them in a fist-fight, it proves you're better at something.

 

[RatRace123]

Ignoring them, and being secure in the knowledge that I am the only one worthy of such a complex.

Seriously though, these people's heads are so far up their asses, nothing will pull them out. Just try to shut it out, let them continue living in their fantasy world of being right and perfect.

 

[Mafoobula]

You know what pisses off people who cannot stop being annoying bitches? Ignoring them doesn't help, 75% of my life will prove that. Instead, make it clear that you find what they say to be inconsequential, as if their words are worth less than the few cubic inches of air it talks to speak them.
I've found that a simple eye-roll and a small "tch" sound works absolute wonders.
If they get even a little riled up, it means you struck a sore spot. If they press their point, become REALLY distracted by something trivial, like the state of your fingernails. When you finally give them your attention, don't over-exaggerate, like "Hm? Oh, you're still here?" The egomaniac may detect that you're trying to hard, and the plan falls apart. Instead, stare at them expectantly for a moment. If they're silent, give a little shrug, a little shake of the head, and go back to your nails. If they say something, listen politely for a few moments, then go back to your nails anyway. Finally, get the hell out of there. Bonus points if you say something like "Whatever dude, I gotta (something that could've easily waited a few minutes, like using the bathroom or checking email)." High-tail it outta there without giving them a second glance.

Mind you, this strategy isn't fool-proof, but I really have had good luck with the eye-roll and "tch" sound.

 

[Jodah]

You know what pisses off people who cannot stop being annoying bitches? Ignoring them doesn't help, 75% of my life will prove that. Instead, make it clear that you find what they say to be inconsequential, as if their words are worth less than the few cubic inches of air it talks to speak them.
I've found that a simple eye-roll and a small "tch" sound works absolute wonders.
If they get even a little riled up, it means you struck a sore spot. If they press their point, become REALLY distracted by something trivial, like the state of your fingernails. When you finally give them your attention, don't over-exaggerate, like "Hm? Oh, you're still here?" The egomaniac may detect that you're trying to hard, and the plan falls apart. Instead, stare at them expectantly for a moment. If they're silent, give a little shrug, a little shake of the head, and go back to your nails. If they say something, listen politely for a few moments, then go back to your nails anyway. Finally, get the hell out of there. Bonus points if you say something like "Whatever dude, I gotta (something that could've easily waited a few minutes, like using the bathroom or checking email)." High-tail it outta there without giving them a second glance.

Mind you, this strategy isn't fool-proof, but I really have had good luck with the eye-roll and "tch" sound.

"I have to go look at porn" works well.

 

[Ambi]

Everyone thinks their beliefs are better than everyone else's. You don't have to feel so threatened. I think the appropriate/effective response is to calmly respond with your own knowledge as politely as you think they should. Most people respond positively to that. That will show you up as the more reasonable person, if they were just using a rude tone.

Sure, you don't have to justify your choices or explain why you don't care to them and you can let them know that, but it just fuels their angst. It gives them the impression that deep down you know that they could be right and haven't thought about your choices enough to justify them and just want to ignore any information that challenges your lifestyle. Or you could just stop caring what they think and feel and not respond at all...