People boast about the strangest things, leaving the rest of us scratching our heads, wondering why they’re proudly sharing something we’d be ashamed to admit.
I’d love to tell you in person that’s not the flex you think it is, but since I usually can’t, I’m going to tell you here.
It’s Not the Flex You Think It Is
Here are the weirdest things people are proud of when they probably shouldn’t be – plus what to do instead!
Lack of Sleep
“I only got five hours of sleep last night,” boasts one employee. “Oh, well, I only got 3!” brags another.
Sleep is vital to our health and wellness. Grumpiness, irritability, and poor health are the only rewards for not sleeping.
I think we brag about not sleeping to garner sympathy points and to excuse any grumpiness or poor work, but wouldn’t it be better if we were apologetic rather than proud?
Say something like, “I’m sorry for my grumpiness; I didn’t get enough sleep last night,” instead.
If good sleep constantly eludes you, check out our tips for a better night’s sleep. You won’t have to brag about restless nights ever again.
Never Leaving Hometown
Some folks are proud that they live like hobbits, never stepping into the outside world to experience the vast swaths of diversity.
We understand that not everyone likes to travel, but never leaving your hometown isn’t the flex you think it is.
Even if you don’t particularly enjoy traveling, you should try venturing away at least a few times to broaden your perspective and see things you wouldn’t normally see.
Now you can brag about all the cool places you’ve been instead.
No Education
Some people are really proud that they didn’t go to college. These folks see universities as indoctrination factories. They fear ideas they don’t understand, so rather than open their minds, they close themselves down and shout that they’re superior.
To be clear, I’m not knocking people who can’t afford college, don’t have the aptitude for it, or opt for something else. I don’t think everyone has to go to college.
However, I do side-eye folks who hate the very idea of education, refuse to let their children go to college, and loathe anyone with a higher education than themselves.
Education is not indoctrination. People change their minds because they learn how to think critically, see issues from different perspectives, and realize new possibilities.
The people too proud for education are the ones who need the lessons most.
Not Reading
I will never understand how someone can be so proud of themselves for not reading. I understand that not everyone has the time or energy to read, but when you’re bragging that you haven’t read a book since high school like it’s something to aspire to, I’m going to wonder about you.
Books are gateways to new worlds. They offer us fresh perspectives on the world, give us a glimpse inside someone else’s head, teach us things about the universe, and inspire us.
Why are you flexing about missing out on all that?
I’m not saying you have to read War & Peace. Read something, anything.
At the very least, don’t brag that you didn’t. It’s not a flex.
Ignorance
People proudly deny science or refuse to believe things right in front of them and claim they are better for it.
They also refuse to engage with people who are different, basking in their ignorance of other cultures so they can feel proud of their own.
Ignorance is never something to boast about.
Wouldn’t it be more of a flex to be proud of your culture (or anything) when you know about all the other? Or to take a position after researching and understanding all the different sides?
Over Working
America’s toxic work culture did a number on us. It got us thinking we should be proud of working ungodly hours.
Instead of fighting for work-life balance, as we should be, we flex about how many jobs we have, how hard we work, how many hours we put in each day, and how long it’s been since we’ve had a day off.
Why are we proud that our work culture forces us to work ungodly hours just to pay the bills?
How Much You Drank
Maybe boasting about your epic night of partying was fun in college, but once you’re a fully-fledged adult, you sound like an alcoholic.
Telling everyone who will listen about how wasted you got last night after you’re 25 or so is not the flex you think it is. I mean it’s not great when you’re younger either, but if you’re still having crazy nights well into your thirties, you might want to seek help.
Your Loud Car
Maybe this one is just me, but I always roll my eyes at the folks revving their engines on the freeway like the loud noise somehow makes them impressive.
I can’t help but think “wow, you’re so cool!” but in the most sarcastic way possible.
I don’t even know what flex these folks think their loud car is, but it’s not working for me.
Being Right All the Time
Nobody is right all the time, so if you claim you are (or act like you are), you’re going to get some side-eyes.
Acting like you’re always right doesn’t tell the world that you’re wise and infallible; it tells the world your ego can’t handle making a mistake.
That’s not the flex you think it is.
Born Rich
Some folks were born on third base and thought they hit a home run.
They’re so proud of all their “accomplishments,” like scoring a high-paying job at their uncle’s company or buying their first house with their parent’s money. Then they boast that they did it, so anyone can, and look down on folks who weren’t born with silver spoons in their mouths.
I’m not hating on people who took advantage of the opportunities they were afforded in life. I would have too!
All I ask is that you recognize your advantages and understand that not everyone has the same opportunities.
Being a Jerk
“I’m just honest – I tell it like it is,” boasts the jerk after they said something rude to their friend.
Being proud of your so-called “honesty” when you’re actually just mean isn’t a flex. In fact, that type of tactless behavior is one of the main reasons you have no friends.
You can be honest while remaining tactful. You can tell someone harsh truths without being mean.
The fact that you’re proud of being a jerk while trying to hide it behind a veneer of truth isn’t a flex.
Arguing
Some folks love to argue, and they’ll brag about how great they are at it.
In reality, they’re loud and annoying and only “win” their arguments because no one wants to debate them. Is that really winning?
I don’t think so.
If you want to brag about how great you are at debate, learn the facts about your position and learn how to actually have a debate. Don’t scream and yell about how right you are, refuse to listen to facts, or turn to personal insults to make your point.
If that’s how you win your debates, you actually aren’t good at arguing.
Nationality
It’s one thing to be proud of your country’s accomplishments, like going to the moon or implementing policies that will help families.
It’s completely different to be proud of yourself just because you happened to be born in a specific country.
Blind devotion to a flag is dangerous and prevents us from working to make our nation better.
I’m proud to be an American, but I won’t boast about how we’re the greatest country in the world and can do no wrong. America has a ton of problems and has made a lot of horrible mistakes. The only way to improve is to acknowledge them and put in the work to fix them.
Having Kids You Never See
Some parents boast about how many kids they have and in the same breath reveal that they aren’t involved in their kids’ lives at all.
Why are you proud of having kids you don’t see?
I’m childfree by choice, but I think if you have kids, you should actually want to be around them. I lose respect for folks who brag about how much they love their kids when they only see them a few times a month.
Why Do We Boast About Weird Stuff?
I bet you or someone you know has bragged about something on this list at least once. I even have!
So why do we do it?
We all know lack of sleep and overwork are problems, but sometimes we can’t do anything about them, so we share our misery with company. That’s only human.
But most of it is insecurity and ego. We flex about our lack of education and experience because the alternative, admitting we don’t know something, is far, far worse.
Our egos can’t handle being wrong (or uninformed, or different, or “lesser”). Instead of improving ourselves (because that would suggest we have something to improve!), we dig in and pretend our way is best.
No matter the topic, that’s not the flex you think it is. The world would be a better place if we all dropped our egos and opened ourselves up to learning new perspectives.