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My BIL is a nice guy, he would give you the shirt off his back to help and he's really good with his sister (my wife), but he's a lengend in his own mind. No matter what it is anyone does, he does it better, he works harder than anyone, he has a nicer house than anyone, his kids are better than anyone's, his lawn is the best in the neighborhood, he's more macho than other guys, etc., etc., etc. If you show any pride in your own life, appearance, ability, accomplishment, he has to one up you on it. I don't say anything, we get along well enough, but it's tiring to keep listening to the BS, day in and day out. I figure you need to have a huge self esteem problem if you have to keep inflating your own ego over EVERYTHING. Any one else have one like this? How do you handle it?
people who have more good qualities than bad ones get to stay in my life but I do keep some space, and limit the time I spend with them. In your case, you might also take him on in good humor occasionally: "Hey, Bill, you gotta give me this one! Today my lawn DOES look better than yours and actually I saw a few weeds on the side of your lawn near the flower bed. My Win!!!...." and laugh, and slap him on the back, or grab him and give him a loud sloppy kiss on the cheek.
Sometimes you just have to release and let yourself squawk back; and this is best done with humor. (OK, for his birthday, get him a tee shirt that says "I'm the Best")
My BIL is a nice guy, he would give you the shirt off his back to help and he's really good with his sister (my wife), but he's a lengend in his own mind. No matter what it is anyone does, he does it better, he works harder than anyone, he has a nicer house than anyone, his kids are better than anyone's, his lawn is the best in the neighborhood, he's more macho than other guys, etc., etc., etc. If you show any pride in your own life, appearance, ability, accomplishment, he has to one up you on it. I don't say anything, we get along well enough, but it's tiring to keep listening to the BS, day in and day out. I figure you need to have a huge self esteem problem if you have to keep inflating your own ego over EVERYTHING. Any one else have one like this? How do you handle it?
Sometimes you just have to release and let yourself squawk back; and this is best done with humor. (OK, for his birthday, get him a tee shirt that says "I'm the Best")
LOL, but T-shirt????? More likely tatooed across his forehead!
Shame that they don't have one of those cards you open which plays music for egotists. I am thinking a good one would be the first part of that Debbie Boone song "Nobody does it better" and if you could do your own dubbing his name in it after the "better" part. And the part "Makes me feel sad for the rest" rings true because I feel sad for the rest of the people who have to listen to him.
(Oh well, small attempt at humor there)
I would be tempted to shake my head and walk away the next time he starts into how much better he is/does something. After a few times, he will be the only audience he has and can listen to himself tell himself how great he is.
Shame that they don't have one of those cards you open which plays music for egotists. I am thinking a good one would be the first part of that Debbie Boone song "Nobody does it better" and if you could do your own dubbing his name in it after the "better" part. And the part "Makes me feel sad for the rest" rings true because I feel sad for the rest of the people who have to listen to him.
(Oh well, small attempt at humor there)
I would be tempted to shake my head and walk away the next time he starts into how much better he is/does something. After a few times, he will be the only audience he has and can listen to himself tell himself how great he is.
No, not Debbie Boone, wasn't it Carly Simon? I think it was James Bond theme, and you know what an obnoxious egotist James was, so excellent choice.
I would simply say "And we're all very impressed" and do it when a few people are around, that might take him down a peg or two. At least for the day.
And be honest with yourself, you don't like him very much. It's like when people say "I love Linda to death, but......", no you don't. You don't have to justify not liking someone.
People who go on about how they have the nicest house, aren't usually the types who are generous to others. It's all about them.
Try the comment above, and avoid him as much as possible.
people who have more good qualities than bad ones get to stay in my life but I do keep some space, and limit the time I spend with them. In your case, you might also take him on in good humor occasionally: "Hey, Bill, you gotta give me this one! Today my lawn DOES look better than yours and actually I saw a few weeds on the side of your lawn near the flower bed. My Win!!!...." and laugh, and slap him on the back, or grab him and give him a loud sloppy kiss on the cheek.
I wouldn't recommend this, it just comes across as passive aggressive and will likely only encourage him to one-up you even more, trying to bait you into a p***ing match.
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