Condescending attitude of others makes them prefer to keep their distance. This attitude can be demonstrated in a number of ways, but it's usually done by talking and acting like you're smarter or more important than them. This kind of behavior makes you lose friends and feel left out. However, being condescending to others can be overcome by putting the interests of others first, being humble, and monitoring your body language. To that end, learn how to actively listen when others are talking and respect the opinions of others. When interacting with other people, speak at a reasonable pace and don't display body language that expresses annoyance.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Put Others First
Step 1. Learn to listen more than talk
Instead of always dominating the conversation, spend more time listening to the other person's opinion. Don't just listen, but learn to listen to what he has to say. Try to understand what he is saying and take the time to process the information he conveys. When the other person is talking, listen carefully to the end and don't worry about the response you want to give. Then, give an appropriate response.
- For example, respond to what the other person is saying by saying, "Then being a vegetarian means being a person who cares about the environment. Very interesting. I've never seen this from that perspective."
- When the other person is talking, be an active listener by making eye contact, nodding your head occasionally, and asking questions to ask for an explanation when he's finished speaking.
Step 2. Give appreciation to others
When you achieve success, you may feel proud and want to appreciate yourself, but first make sure you have a role in this. Consider that your success in achieving your goals may be due to the support of friends, family members, mentors, or coworkers.
Appreciate the people who support you, for example by saying, "I'm studying hard to get accepted into law school, but this wouldn't have happened without the support of family and friends who always cheered me on when I lost motivation."
Step 3. Consider other people's perspectives
Appreciate the views of others with a positive attitude. Instead of immediately judging, give the other person the opportunity to explain until the end without interrupting the conversation by giving rebuttals. You gain or give nothing by attacking or demeaning the interlocutor. When it's your turn to speak, give an honest, open, and candid response.
For example, say to your interlocutor, "Interesting opinion. However, there are those who argue that dogs, especially bulldogs and herdsmen, are actually not aggressive because dog behavior depends on environmental conditions and training. What do you think?"
Step 4. Provide assistance
Instead of feeling great because you know a better way to do something, be great for being able to help other people become better. You can form lasting friendships by helping others.
For example, if a coworker is having trouble completing a report, offer to help read, edit, and provide helpful feedback
Method 2 of 3: Be a Humble Person
Step 1. Find out the things that make you feel valuable
Condescending attitude of others is usually triggered by insecurity and fear of rejection. However, you will feel safe if you know the advantages you have. Because you feel safe, the desire to humiliate others will disappear by itself.
- Take the time to make a list of your strengths, weaknesses, successes, and failures. That way, you know the things that make you feel worthy, feel confident in yourself, and are able to be humble. For example, one of your strengths is that you are highly motivated, while your weakness is that you are too quick to reject different opinions.
- If needed, ask a friend or family member to tell you about a personality they admire most and a trait that needs improvement.
Step 2. Don't compare yourself to others
Often times, condescending others are fueled by envy and you can only accept yourself if you feel superior to others. Remember that your life experiences, strengths and weaknesses are unique. So, there is no point in comparing yourself with others because everyone has different experiences and backgrounds.
Step 3. Be tactful
Sometimes, people who have high skills or things to be proud of (such as good looks, great intelligence, or talent in a particular area) fall into the trap of thinking that they are better than other people. This is called pseudo superiority. Realizing your apparent superiority doesn't mean that you have to blame yourself or ignore your good qualities. Instead, remember that many people are equally good and so what you have doesn't make you better than someone else.
Step 4. Have an open mind
Realize that you are not a know-it-all and your opinion is just an opinion. Everyone has the right to have an opinion and you have no right to put other people down just because they have a different opinion. Instead, open up your horizons by looking for commonalities, not differences.
For example, if you have negative views about a particular religion or culture, interview adherents of that religion/culture with the intention of hearing and learning about it, not to confirm negative prejudices or argue
Step 5. Take control of your speech
Condescending attitude of others makes you unable to work together and establish relationships with others. In addition, the atmosphere will feel tense because they feel superior, while other people are considered inferior. Get rid of the habit of saying words that demean others and realize their impact by controlling your words and actions and the responses of others.
- Don't say demeaning sentences, for example, "Oh, you just found out?", "Then I'll explain it again in simpler terms", "I already know", or "He wants to say that…"
- You'd better say, "Maybe I don't understand", "You mean, being a vegetarian means caring for the environment?" and "Interesting and useful opinions to apply."
Method 3 of 3: Controlling Body Language
Step 1. Speak at a normal tempo
Slowing down the tempo of speech to make it easier for the listener to understand what you are saying makes him or her feel belittled because adults usually speak this way to young children. When providing information to the interlocutor, do not assume that the source of the problem is with the listener. Often times, it is you who do not communicate clearly and correctly.
For example, instead of saying, "I. Want to. Learn. How. Humans. Interact. In. Groups," speak normally, "I want to learn how people interact in groups. Let me explain what it means to interact."
Step 2. Don't use third person pronouns for yourself
This method makes you seem arrogant. Don't talk like this so others don't feel humiliated.
- For example, when you want to talk about yourself, don't say, "He received a prestigious award because his paper was considered excellent."
- Also, don't say "I" and "mine" too often when speaking. For example, "In my opinion, my book is better."
Step 3. Keep your head up
When talking to other people, make it a habit to hold your head up and look at the person you are talking to. You'll come across as arrogant if you're talking with your head up and looking down. This head position suggests that you feel smarter than the other person or that your opinion is more important and truer.
