If someone displays these 10 behaviors, they’re a truly pretentious person

We all encounter people who act like they’re walking encyclopedias, right? But do we know what really makes someone pretentious?

Believe it or not, identifying certain behaviors can help us spot these show-offs.

So, let’s discuss the top 10 behaviors that reveal a truly pretentious person.

You might just recognize someone you know!

1. They constantly name-drop

You know the type.

They’re always trying to impress by mentioning famous or influential people they supposedly know or have met.

“Oh, did I ever tell you about the time I bumped into Elon Musk at a conference?” or “My close friend, who just so happens to be a renowned author, once told me…”.

If every conversation includes a celebrity cameo, that’s a big red flag.

It’s as if they’re saying their worth is dependent on the important people they know.

Truly pretentious, isn’t it? 

2. They love to use fancy words

Ever had a chat with someone who suddenly throws in words like ‘quintessential’ or ‘antidisestablishmentarianism’?

If you need a dictionary to understand what they’re saying, chances are, you’re talking to a pretentious person.

They love using complex words and phrases, often unnecessarily. It’s their way of showing off their ‘superior’ vocabulary.

But let’s be real, communication is about understanding each other, not about showing off how many complicated words we know.

So, if someone is constantly talking in riddles or using words that even auto-correct can’t identify, you’ve probably found your pretentious person!

3. They always have to be right

We’ve all had those conversations where the other person just won’t accept they’re wrong, even when it’s clear as day.

I once had a friend who absolutely insisted that the capital of Australia was Sydney. No matter how many times I told him it’s actually Canberra, he just wouldn’t budge. He even tried to convince me that my geography teacher had it all wrong!

This need to always be right, even in the face of undeniable facts, is a classic sign of a pretentious person.

They’re more interested in appearing smart than learning something new or admitting their mistakes.

4. They can’t appreciate simple things

Pretentious people often have a knack for dismissing the simple pleasures of life.

For example, they might turn their noses up at a plain cheese pizza or scorn popular movies and music, opting instead for obscure foreign films or avant-garde jazz.

Research has actually shown that people who appreciate simple, everyday experiences, like a beautiful sunset or a good cup of coffee, tend to be happier and more satisfied with life.

On the contrary, those who constantly seek out highbrow or ‘sophisticated’ experiences may miss out on these simple joys.

So if someone can’t enjoy the simple things in life without making it complicated or ‘classy’, you’ve probably spotted a pretentious behavior!

5. They always want to stand out

Pretentious people often have a deep-seated need to stand out from the crowd, to be seen as different or special.

This isn’t just about having a unique style or personality, which can be a wonderful thing. It’s about doing things for the sole purpose of drawing attention and setting themselves apart.

For example, they might wear outrageously expensive designer clothes when everyone else is dressed casually, or loudly express controversial opinions just to get a reaction.

Here’s something to remember: it’s okay to blend in. It’s okay to be ‘ordinary’.

True individuality comes from being yourself, not from a desperate need to appear different. 

6. They look down on others

I once knew a guy who would always make snide remarks about other people’s choices – what they wore, what they ate, the music they listened to.

He believed his tastes were superior and that anyone who didn’t share them was somehow ‘less than’. It was as if he lived in a bubble where only his preferences mattered.

This kind of attitude, looking down on others because their choices or tastes don’t align with yours, is a classic pretentious behavior.

7. They’re all about image

Let’s be real for a second, we live in a society where image often trumps substance.

And pretentious people? They thrive on it.

These people are all about appearances – the right clothes, the right car, the right social media posts.

But here’s the kicker – it’s all surface-level stuff.

Scratch beneath that polished exterior, and you might find there’s not much there. They invest so much energy into looking a certain way that they forget to be genuine.

Truth is, life isn’t an Instagram feed. It’s messy and unpredictable.

If you know someone who is more invested in maintaining an image than showing their real self, that’s pretentious behavior right there. 

8. They’re masters of one-upmanship

Ever shared a story or experience, only to have someone counter with a tale that’s bigger, better, or more dramatic?

This is a classic pretentious move. They always have to one-up everyone else.

But did you know that psychologists say that one-upmanship often stems from insecurity?

People who frequently try to outdo others usually feel the need to prove their worth. They believe that by appearing more successful, intelligent, or experienced than those around them, they’ll gain respect or admiration.

But the truth is, constant one-upmanship can be exhausting for everyone involved and rarely wins genuine respect. 

9. They criticize more than they compliment

I remember a colleague who seemed to have a knack for finding faults. Whether it was the coffee at the office, the new guy’s presentation skills, or even the weather, nothing was ever good enough for her.

She would criticize everything and seldom had a good word to say about anyone or anything.

Now, being critical isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can help us improve and grow.

But when it becomes a habit and overshadows any form of appreciation or positivity, it becomes a pretentious behavior.

10. They’re never impressed

Pretentious people are the masters of the ‘meh’.

Nothing seems to impress them. They’ve seen it all, done it all, and of course, they’ve done it better.

Your new job? They’ve had a better one. Your vacation photos? They’ve been to more exotic places. Your favorite restaurant? They know a place that’s much better.

This perpetual lack of enthusiasm or inability to be impressed by anything is a classic sign of pretentious behavior.

It’s as if they’re saying, “I’m so superior that nothing can amaze me.”

So, if someone never seems impressed by anything, chances are, you’ve got a pretentious person on your hands,