Average People Try Their Best At Humble-Bragging, And We Applaud Them
Sometimes, you just have a really good day. Sometimes, you feel like you've seized the day and carpe diem-ed at the same time. Internet culture will sometimes knock people down for sharing good news on big accomplishments because they're "bragging." This could be why the humble-brag entered into our vernacular. Speak highly of yourself, but don't be too big of a jerk about it. Reddit user, r/ThirdEncounter, wanted to know what you have reason to brag about when they asked:
Ok, Reddit, if we all suspended judgment for a sec, what do you want to brag about?
Helping Out A Little Creatures
I pulled a mcflurry cup off of a skunk's head behind the local 711 the other night... poor lil fella was walking in circles, helpless
Crush It! Life, Not Ribs...
I had my first Code as a nurse (patient became unresponsive and needed CPR). I was quick to start CPR. Broke 7 of her ribs but I heard two weeks later that she was still alive and getting better!
When You're Killing It On Etsy
I made over a hundred dollars selling greeting cards on etsy last month. It's not much to some people, but the idea that someone would willingly spend their hard earned money on something I made is almost too good to be true.
And I'm getting really good at this one Mozart piece on the piano, but no one I know really likes classical music, and I sound pretentious if I talk about it, so I just play for myself :)
Rising From Nothing
When I was in elementary school I was almost put into special education because they thought I couldn't read. Last week I started my PhD in biomedical engineering.
Being Able To Move On
I haven't spoken to my ex in over a month. Finally. Moving. On.
I Mean, Yeah, Okay, You Do You
My bladder is huge. Like Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own huge.
I almost overflowed a 32 oz bottle once.
Getting The Work Done On Your Own
I'm about to finish producing my first full-length documentary. Although I've had help from a lot of different crew along the way, a heck of a lot of it I've put together completely on my own. Got several great celebrities all on my own. Edited it almost entirely on my own. Just gotten a nice 1hr20min film done through pure determination and my own resourcefulness.
_CMe
What Lung Problems?
Barely a year after quitting 20 years of smoking, me and a friend of mine, meeting for the first time, hiked to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite together. 14 hours, 12.7 miles, and 52000-ish steps.
A Best Man Speech Is Harder Than It Looks
A few years ago I was the "man of honor" in my sisters wedding, and now every time I go to a wedding one of my friends tells me that my speech was the best or one of the best wedding speeches they've ever heard.
It's Nice To Be Wanted
I know it isn't much, but it made me feel good about myself. Other day I went to Lowes to get some pipe fittings for a project I'm working on. As I was walking in, there was an older couple (older than me, probably 50's) trying to put a gas grill in their truck. The tried a couple times and each time only raised it about a foot or so. I asked if they needed help, the man said he would love some help, but it gets heavier the higher he goes. I just grabbed it and lifted it up by myself, which prompted both of them to say something like they would love to have one of me around their house.
This might seem like a pretty normal thing to be proud of, but that's one of the first times in many years where someone has said they wanted me...even if it was in passing. It's quite a big deal for this overweight guy with depression.
Tap Will Come Back
part time dance teacher for the last 6 years here. I've helped grow our Tap Company (higher level tap students who perform in extra shows throughout year) tremendously. when I started it didn't exist due to low/no enrollment/interest. Now, I have 17, SEVENTEEN, students in the company. 3 years ago I had 3, 2 years ago we didn't even offer it due to "low interest", and last year we had 15 students. I'm so proud of myself. It's exciting to see young students interested in tap again. Tap is the underdog of the dance studio I teach at. Everyone wants to be a ballerina or doing the contemporary stuff you see on TV.
All of the pieces I choreograph in our shows get rave reviews and I feel that the program is alive and well again because of me and MY passion for it.
"...Even If It's Only For A Short While"
My wife is having a very hard time right now. She has periods that last hundreds of days. She's in a lot of pain, and the doctors do what they can to treat it, but I think it's going to come down to a hysterectomy.
With the backstory brought into the light, I manage to get her comfortable, happy, and pain-free every evening. I lay her in bed and rub her feet and wash her face with facial wipes until she falls asleep. It's essentially like a face massage.
I make sure she has everything she needs and wants available to her at all times. She hates shopping, and I have made sure she hasn't had to see the inside of a Walmart in a couple of years.
I'm proud to have the ability to take her pain and discomfort away, even if it's only for a short while.
When You Get It Published
Just got the first feedback on my first novel under this pen name, after taking a year or so off from publishing. It's apparently pretty good. I'm a-go to launch in the next couple of weeks and I am excited as f---.
Telling A Grand Tale
I DM'd my first DnD session ever and had a great time. After it was over the players couldn't stop talking about the game. Feels so good to have put something together that they all enjoyed and praised me on.
Shh. He Doesn't Get It.
My husband is totally out-of-my-league handsome. Fortunately for me, he doesn't seem to understand what "traditionally attractive" is or means, and he doesn't have a "type" at all.
Finally Getting The Name You Want
I'm a Brit living in Houston for the last 5 years. When the hurricane hit I immediately volunteered to help out at the hurricane shelter and continued to do so. I intend to continue volunteering as this is gonna take while to clear up.
It really makes me feel that I am helping others in a time of need and have been really proud of myself for doing it.
Even better was someone called me a 'true Houstonian' for doing this. As someone who had wanted to live in the USA his entire life, to hear this made my day.
Raising A Child Is Like Raising A Dog
My wife and I have an 8 month old daughter. A few days ago, she took her first steps without our help, and I was there to see it.
It's not that she took her first steps that I want to brag about, what is?
WE'VE KEPT THIS BABY HUMAN ALIVE FOR 8 MONTHS AND WE HAVE NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE!
Bonus, she now says "hi daddy" and gives me a high-five. S--- this makes me happy.
And When You Just When At All Of Life...
A little over 13 months ago I quit drinking myself to death and started working out. I'm down 80 pounds, and I feel pretty damn accomplished. I accepted a new job, moved across the country, and I'm doing flipping fantastic. I stopped playing video games and started getting out all the time. It's a much better life for my daughter and I. The woman who I would describe as "the one who got away" reached out to me some months back because I was initiating the big move to Minneapolis, and now we are dating, and it's the most splendid relationship I've ever had.
H/T: Reddit
The excuses people use to dismiss behavior range from mundane and meaningless to the sort of leaps normally reserved for kangaroos and Olympians. It's sometimes amazing that these excuses work - but they do.
Some of them work so well that they're just sort of "accepted." That, obviously, kind of sucks and is something we should avoid - so let's talk about 'em.
Can't swerve around what you don't see, ya know?
Reddit user TMTtasmachine asked:
What's the biggest excuse used for a-hole behavior that shouldn't be accepted as much as it is?
... and away we go.
Jerk Privileges
" 'That's just how they are.' "
"One of the biggest enablers for tantrum throwing, bullying, etc. is that they get treated with kid gloves to avoid dealing with them." - alexrt87
"Oh my God you hit the nail on the head. Whenever someone says 'that's just the way they are' I say:"
" 'Yes, that's the point! Glad you noticed too! Now is it okey-doke for them to be jerks they have special jerk privileges? Or maybe they are just people and should treat everyone else as such?' " - notatrumpchump
"It depends on how it's said."
"People are the way that they are, and you shouldn't be surprised when they continue to be that way."
"This, obviously, doesn't excuse it - but people also shouldn't be surprised when a bad person continues to make bad decisions. Neither should we waste space in our minds being bothered by it." - unlawfulfoxy
Harassment Isn't Humor
season 2 lol GIF by ShamelessGiphy" 'It's just a joke, bro.' Harassing people isn't humor." - loading__99
"Schrödinger's Douchebag"
"A guy who says/does offensive things and decides whether he was joking based on the reaction of people around him." - Eatsleeptren
"Dude, legit had someone come up to me and start shouting in my face, calling me Madison, pretending I was cheating on him. Literally the most crowded location outside a theater, everyone staring at us, looking at me like I was some horrible cheater while I was out with my then fiancé."
"I started hyperventilating, my fiancé nearly decked the dude, and then someone shouts 'CUT' like this is some big 'YOU'RE ON CANDID CAMERA' moment and everything's supposed to be okay."
"I burst into tears."
"It was the most humiliating moment of my life, and thank god my then fiancé, now husband is not the type to overreact or jump to conclusions, or be abusive. Imagine how bad that could have been for someone with an angry or abusive partner."
"Prank videos are a plague on the internet and there is a REASON so many of them are fake, or involve actors." - Darkovika
Stay Sober, Then!
Drunk Drinking Beer GIFGiphy" 'I was drunk / high / etc.' "
"Then don't drink?! Stay sober if you can't NOT be an a**hole!" - BasedBenjamin
"Alternately, I hear a lot of 'I'm a happy drunk!' "
"Yeah, according to your drunk a$s. That doesn't mean you're not an ahole. Not remembering is not an excuse either." - PepeBabinski
"I was that guy. I swore I was a 'happy drunk' - and I was. It was everyone ELSE who was miserable while I was happy."
"I was also loud, obnoxious, and I wouldn't remember sh*t the next day."
"Quitting drinking has been one of my best choices of my life." - TTungsteNN
"Help"
new girl coach GIFGiphy" 'I'm just trying to help you' " - Miserable-Air1234
"Every time I've heard this, they're manipulating me while helping only themselves." - mykittenfarts
"My Mom to a T. Everything she does is better than anyone else's and she always gets pissed that people don't praise her for 'helping.' "
"She's now a certified (by herself) psychic and I have come to the conclusion that she's not a covert narcissist but an obvious one. I really wish I was joking." - Silent_Discussion657
Parenting Problems
Leave Me Alone Run GIF by TLC EuropeGiphy"Any variation of 'I'm a Mother/parent.' "
"Had some lady cut me in line at a coffee shop and she hit me with 'I'm a single Mom of 3!' as her excuse."
"Ok? And? I was still here first." - maid-for-hire
"I'm a single mom and I f*cking haaaate when other single moms/parents pull that sh*t to get special treatment."
"Last week, I was having a rough morning, my kid was being difficult, and I was running late. I was rude to a cashier over a minor inconvenience."
"Not only did I apologize for my shitty behavior, I wrote corporate to let them know how professional and patient she was while I acted like a f*cking toddler."
"Was being a parent part of the reason I was frustrated? Absolutely. Was it an excuse for that behavior? HELL no."
"I acted like a b*tch, and I called myself out, and I apologized. I still feel bad about that - I rarely let things get to me to the point I snap at others." - ClusterfckyShtshow
"Wow. I'm a Mom as well and tired but it doesn't give anyone a right to use it as some sort of ploy to get away with stuff."
"Like, mice become Moms about 12 times a year. You're not special 🤣" - SpoonLoops
Believing Your Boss
The Office Monday GIF by 20th Century Fox Home EntertainmentGiphy"I had a boss say some really racist sh*t around me one day and the next day, out of nowhere, he says:"
" 'Don't believe half the things that come out of my mouth!' "
"It was not really an excuse, more like trying to cover for himself after the fact, but still stuck with me." - sirlongbottom441
"Report them to HR. Seriously." - kokichi--ouma
"Looking past the racist stuff for a bit, that's not a very encouraging thing to hear from a boss…" - WonderfulBlackberry9
Bad Day Again
Bad Day Reaction GIF by Schitt's CreekGiphy" 'I'm having a bad day/week' "
"Okay, so you decide everybody that you interact with deserves the same fate? Get out of here, dude." - myordinaryexistence
"We all got stress, don't take it out on me. I get some people have stress bad enough for it to be passable every once and a while (family member passing, etc) but general, stress should not lead to you being a jerk to me." - willsimpforfree
"Damn, I'm definitely guilty of this. Usually I remember to apologize after but at this point I've learned to just avoid the situation in the first place by minimizing my interaction with people if I'm in a shitty mood." - nozzzrul
"Reminds me of when that White boy went on a murder rampage and killed a bunch of Asian women & that a-hole sheriff gave a press conference telling the media that the 'poor boy had a bad day.' "
"My idea of a bad day involves going home after a rough day at work and just staying in the house."
"Apparently, I should change my ethnicity from Asian to White and go on a murder rampage, see if my @ss gets a sympathetic sheriff to say on my behalf that I had 'a bad day.' " - kingkazul400
It's Not An Excuse
Season 2 Reaction GIF by FriendsGiphy"This won't go down well, but using depression as an excuse. As someone who suffers from it, it's still not ok to treat others like sh*t" - Rainbowwallstickers
"Could not agree enough. My partner has a 'friend' who treats everyone like sh*t all the time, has no consideration for others and openly mocks people in public."
"She gets so much grace from those around her under the guise of her 'mental health.' It's so infuriating watching an adult woman never have to take responsibility for her actions." - 34boor
"I get there are some things you can't control, but you are still responsible for keeping that sh*t in check and if you're aware of your mental illness, you should be aware of how you approach people and situations."
"I'll admit I used to be guilty of using my mental illness to be an @ss, but now I'm trying to better myself" - VeeSquibbles
Florida Gonna Florida
Looney Tunes Florida GIFGiphy"People are letting Florida off the hook way too damn much. And I live in Florida."
"Just because it's hilarious doesn't mean it isn't still completely f*cked up." - AlphaWhiskeyOscar
"The phrase 'Florida Man' is almost always followed some heinous way a Floridian is being an a$$hole." - PepeBabinski
"I'm also originally from Florida, and that state has serious problems. We need to pay attention to it." - [Reddit]
Moment of honesty ... as a Floridian ... yeaaaah, I'm gonna have to agree with that last one.