How to handle people who constantly 'one up' you

I wouldn't talk about yourself, because that is just going to set these people off. They will then go on and on about how they can do it better! And don't talk about them. Because then you will never get them to stop talking! Best thing to do is to talk about something shallow, nondescript...the weather. Seriously, you need to distance yourself a little from these types of people. Because usually, it is some deep-seeded insecurity. And they may talk behind your back. So bring other people into the conversation, talk about shallow, surfacy stuff, and if you can stay away!

[Hypno_Llama]

The one upper I'm dealing with at work will one up even the most superficial conversations though.

[dishappywithlife]

Or just cut your ties with these people completely. I hung out with a person twice, who was like this. They showed me who they are, and I don’t have time for these emotional vampires 🧛🏽‍♀️. Never saw this person again!!

[DeeCee]

This is so true….I have a “friend” and it doesn’t matter if it’s good, bad or ugly….hers is better, worse, or more serious…and if she can’t top it…she “knows” someone else who has it better or worse. And there’s more, if she negates something or wants to add more “punch” to her story, she will “add” people to “bulk” up her stance. It’s so ridiculous and it’s exhausting. And yes, you are right the only way around it is to only discuss neutral topics to try to avoid them altogether lol.

[everlastingcurves]

BEST ADVICE EVER!!!! You're right Marie! You honestly cannot win. Once someone has convinced themselves that you think you're better than them, everything goes downhill. They're so focused on "one-upping" you, that neither people really get a chance to know each other. Also, I take your last words "be careful" as a diplomatic way of saying LOL!! You've really got to create a distance between yourself and them because under all that unwarranted resentment is some hatred.

[miguelfierro]

Talk on egg shells..?? Not worth the time and effort. Tell them to grow the hell up, or get lost.

[jimharrison]

I was diagnosed with asthma so I needed my inhaler and a friend was like “your asthma isn’t even that bad! I had mine wayyy Worse” and then got more of my friends to try to “defend” them. I literally said nothing and everytime I Even bring the fact I have asthma up they always go on and on about how they were worse off. I don’t even feel comfortable using my inhaler around them.

[dewdrop]

I had to deal with a person like before. If I told her that I climbed a mountain, she’d tell me that she climbed Mt Everest. I think a funny way to handle it would be to rain on their parade. 😆

[Juliet_Capulet]

With my one-upper I literally could have said "So I just dropped my kids off at school" and she'd say "Oh, so did I...I make sure to walk them into the classroom to check up on everything there...you do that too, right? (no, obviously. I'm not weird) and I made sure Dino had his $75 water bottle, the phthalate-free one. What kind of water bottle do you give your kids? Oh, the same one? Are you sure? Because this was limited edition. Can I call the store where you got yours and check for you to make SURE it's the $75 one?" (sneer snark, eager leap to try to prove me wrong) "Are you SURE you can AFFORD that?" (gasp) "What with you not working as much or making as much anymore. I have prayed to Jesus soooo many times that you could only make $45/hour sitting in a chair and staring waiting for a phone call to come in like my boss pays me...I asked him to pay less, he refused, he said he'd never seen such a great receptionist [legit]...oh if ONLY, that's just my dream that you could get a job as good as mine..." So no. There IS no neutral subject. They're afraid of you, they're jealous of you, and they will constantly try to prove they're not losers who are lesser than you...all from their own minds. Full stop.

[williamredfern]

SAY TO THEM HOW COME YOU CAN ALWAYS DO BIGGER AND BETTER THAN ME OR ANY OTHER, , THEY GO QUIET, ,

[mandyrose]

Basically you can't have friendship with them

[GS-stns]

People who practice one-upmanship would go one up with a weather report. That's the toxic person I wouldn't talk to more than one time.

[palomahealing]

Basically, these people can't even deal with or talk about anything that's Not about them? Period!🥴🥴🥴

[scottytaco]

Good advice. My coworkers are annoying.

[maggiewood]

My father is law is like this. To the point when he lies just to one up me. Its hurtful. Despite the fact he is a totally different person with totally different abilities.And has achieved allot on his field. What ever i do hes done it or his mate has done it. never well done.

[courtneygillespie]

It's gotta be exhausting keeping up with best 😉

[ErickRamos]

i like to one up people XD :P....dont hate me

[Mr]

I have never hear of such poor advice in my life. How can my team not talk about what happens in their life. Ok lets never talk personal again. Do you have a book I can purchase ?? NOT