Search Helium

Home > Relationships & Family > Communication > Interpersonal Communication > Dealing with Problem People

Ways to communicate with a know-it-all

by Donald Courtney

Created on: February 19, 2008

Know-it-alls:

What really galls me is how many know-it-alls and liars there are in this world. Do they know how they come off? Do they really think that they are smarter than everyone else that they meet? Or are they so inadequate themselves that they have to make out that they are the smartest person in the world. They have to know everything about everything and nine out ten times they don't know a trifle bit about what they are talking about.

If other people are around when these people begin with their stories I just ignore them. If its me they are talking to, it depends on how well I know them. I may tell them right out that I don't believe it. Sometimes I don't want to hurt feelings and I know that they can't help themselves so I just agree and try to change the subject.

I have met people that does know something about a lot of things, but you'll find that most of those people will not claim to know what they don't.

The people that irritates me most are those who think something is one way and your thoughts don't matter at all. If they use a certain type of polish or wax and they like it, that makes it the best on the market. Your brand is not nearly as good.

I remember one case in specific when I was traveling cross country with a trailer that was loaded heavy enough to cause the springs on my car to sag low to the ground. Over fifty percent of the people I crossed had to tell me that the car would brake down before I reached California. They insisted that would have to put overloads on it.

As stubborn as I am, I was not going to do it. Those people, those know it alls, Those all so perfect people knew nothing. I made it all the way without a problem. Now, guessing is one thing, and admitting it's a guess is okay in my book. I would have suspected that I might break a spring on my vehicle, but I didn't know it.

Other people will tell you where someplace is located and they really don't have the slightest idea. Some will tell outright lies to make themselves look good. I knew a person that lied consistently to outdo anything you said. Why must they always have to top whatever you are talking about?

Sometimes people make up stories to make themselves the hero. I overheard a delivery man telling our parts man a story one day about how he accidentally killed a cat that belonged to his neighbor. I didn't think much of it until I realized that I had heard this story someplace before. I didn't know the delivery man so I hadn't heard it from him. Finely it came to me. I had just read it in the readers digest yesterday. It was a very funny story.

I hadn't remained at the parts counter long enough to hear the complete story. Later when our parts man was relaying the story to me, I told him the ending. He was shocked to find out that this really didn't happen to the delivery man. I told him that maybe it was the delivery man that the article was about. He, doubted it.

I don't dislike these people I just don't like the lies or their big know it all attitude. Sometime people believe everything they hear and they carry it on, not considering if its factual or if it will hurt someone else.

Learn more about this author, Donald Courtney.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

Should a happy couple keep secrets from each other?

Click for your side.

262597

Featured Partner

Tomorrow's Peacekeepers Today

Tomorrow's Peacekeepers Today's short-term mission is to provide vital security information to non-government organizations (NGOs) and recommendations on how to protect third-party nationals while on the ground in foreign countries.more


CONNECT WITH US

Read
our blog
Helum for writers

Write and get published
Share with other writers
Polish your freelancing skills

Join our active writing community
Helium Content Source for Publishers

Quality articles from proven freelancers
Exclusive rights, fast turnaround
Brand engagement, business blogging -- our writers do it all

Get custom content today!

INFORMATION


Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA
#