First of all, anyone who gives you advice thinks you’re an idiot. The Venn diagram of advice and condescension is a concentric circle. Actually, when you ask for advice, you’re saying, “talk to me like I’m stupid.” Ergo, the person who offers you advice unsolicited is not just talking to you like you’re stupid. If you’re reading this, you are asking for advice implicitly, practically at random — and not that you asked, but you should examine that. On that note, here’s what you can do about condescending people.
Condescension is the most effective way to insult people. Most of the time you can get at least three jabs in one shot and the other person will just walk away and stew about it. It isn’t necessary to psychoanalyze or get to know the person you’re doing it to, it just works. When people do react, they usually overcompensate and make themselves look crazy. It’s a win win win / lose situation.
You can even condescend to the people around you all the time, totally unconsciously. You might forgo human connection, but it can be a very useful way to go through life. (However, if you feel you might be this kind of person, know that everyone hates you. Your own children will call you “complicated” at your funeral.)
These assholes shield themselves with an armor of smugness. If you expend any…
