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Humblebragging — bragging masked by a complaint or humility — really infuriates people. Mainly because the disguise isn't fooling us.
A 2018 study from researchers at Harvard and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill found that it is even worse than regular, straight-up self-promotion. The latter at least comes off as genuine!
However, some folks just can't help it. They let their insecurities get the best of them and put their false modesty on full display, ready to savor all the attention and recognition it might earn.
When that happens, they end up on a subreddit called r/HumbleBrag. The online community for shaming this pitiful self-presentation. Continue scrolling and check out some of its top posts.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Very Pretty Girl Btw
"[Humblebragging] is such a common phenomenon. All of us know some people in our lives, whether in social media or in the workplace, who do this annoying thing," study author Ovul Sezer, an assistant professor of organizational behavior at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, said. "You think, as the humblebragger, that it's the best of both worlds, but what we show is that sincerity is actually the key ingredient."
Sezer and her team conducted a series of experiments, trying to determine how common humblebragging actually is and how others perceive it. They discovered that humblebragging is everywhere: Out of 646 people surveyed, 70% could recall a humblebrag they'd heard recently.
#2
Ah Yes
The researchers then established that there are two distinct types of humblebrags. The first falls back on a complaint ("I hate that I look so young; even a 19-year-old hit on me!") while the second relies on humility ("Why do I always get asked to work on the most important assignment?"). The results showed that roughly 60% of the humblebrags people remembered fell into the complaint category.
#3
I Laughed More Than I Should’ve
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago
My almost 7 year old has recently learnt how to do his buttons up and I am very proud. It’s not a race to see whose child is the best, the smartest, tallest, best looking etc.
#4
Woman Got Called Out In A Facebook Group For Humblebragging About Paying For Someone’s Burger And Fries
The researchers also carried out experiments to see how people responded to humblebrags, particularly focusing on the bragger's perceived likability and competence. They found that regular bragging was better on both counts, it at least comes off as genuine, Sezer explained. Interestingly, even complainers were more likable and seemed more competent than humblebraggers of any type.
#5
These People Are Cancer
#6
Loves His Niece
"If you want to announce something, go with the brag and at least own your self-promotion and reap the rewards of being sincere, rather than losing in all dimensions," Sezer said.
It would be even better if there was someone to 'wingman' your boasting. "If someone brags for you, that's the best thing that can happen to you, because then you don't seem like you're bragging," Sezer added.
#7
Saw This In My Feed And Felt It Belonged Here
#8
Mum's Stretching The Truth
However, we may want to rethink our harsh criticism of humblebraggers. We may be doing it ourselves without realizing it. "We all do it, to some extent," Sezer said. "I hope I don't sound like I’m humblebragging when I talk about this research."
#9
If Only There Were A Way To Prevent This From Happening
OkieDonut 1 year ago
This straight up does happen to me though - even with my tiny ring haha
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Jihana 3 years ago
I am a chemist, and as such I know that the gloves are there to protect my hands. I know that harsh chemicals could destroy the ring. I also know that it is really easy to actually lose the ring when you take off the gloves and throw them in the bin. And depending on the lab it is possible that it is not allowed to search for the ring in the bin. So why on earth would someone NOT take the ring off after the first time it ripped the glove? This only makes you look really dumb. Besides...that glove was cut, it would not look like that if it really was the ring that ripped it.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
PPE is too valuable to waste, and anyone with any training knows to keep the rocks at home. Also, I agree. No way the glove rips like that. Clean edges,, nice flap? She's just showing off her ring. Pfft.
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Coleonema 3 years ago
I don't think your supposed to be wearing your ring, especially if you preform surgery
earringnut 3 years ago
Those are puncture resistant gloves. I don't know if they are diamond proof but any jeweler worth their paycheck would never leave the sharp edges of diamonds exposed.
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Aria Whitaker 3 years ago
That is because she did. This is rather pathetic.
Load More Replies... Ryan Deschanel 3 years ago
Nobody else relates because they are not stupid enough to not remove the ring before they put they golves on.
MAL 3 years ago
You know how to fix that? Take the ring off. Then you won't keep ripping your gloves and having to post it on social media where no one cares about it!
Noemie Houtekie-N'Da 3 years ago
They didn't even cut it! It's obvious she cut it with scissors!
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Jonathan English 3 years ago
Imagine getting a prostate exam from this wan, and the silly bitch left the r****m destroyer on.........
Kristof De Smet 3 years ago
That diamond definitely not caused that hole, which makes it even worse.
The 5-star rated 5-star rating system 3 years ago
How about you take the ring off your finger before putting gloves on?
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
I knew someone who was the same way. Until she found out her big impressive “diamond” was actually a cubic zirconia (translation: glass). Yeah, that took her down a few pegs. Kinda made her wedding plans dissolve into thin air too. Not because of the rock. Though I mean, he could’ve given it to her as a sort of “promise stone”, where he promises to work hard and replace the CZ with a real diamond one day. No, it was because of the lie and how much he humiliated her by keeping the lie going; acting like a big rich man, bragging about the size of the diamond he got her, and showing it off to anybody with eyes.
Rachael Kennedy 3 years ago
yeah most places wouldnt allow you to wear large jewellery like that (its even in the contract to keep jewellery to a minimum like small hoops or stud earrings and a watch .. rings are meant to be taken off esp when you work around food .. nobody would want a bragger like her working with them .. prob walks around going OH look at my NEW BIG RING!!! co workers prob like who TF cares ?!
Zoe Vokes 3 years ago
Put the ring on a necklace chain and keep it under your top if you want to keep it close whilst wearing gloves. And third time? If this was true (which it’s not), then she’s an idiot for doing it once, let alone three times. All this does is make her sound shallow and stupid.
Tabitha L 3 years ago
I bought a plain thin band for everyday wear. It is soooooo much easier than wearing a diamond. I'm not worried about losing it. It doesn't spin around on my finger. It doesn't irritate my skin when I use harsh cleaners. $30 ring is so freakin practical. I only wear the diamonds for special occasions now. (I tried not wearing any ring, but men.)
Marcellus the Third 3 years ago
"I'm such a ditz, crash my BMW three times a day against the same tree, when will I learn" that's not an humblebrag, that's a stupidbrag.
François Carré 3 years ago
With all these shattered gloves, you must have to buy new ones all the time, I'm afraid you'll end up completely broke. Do you need some financial help ?
Evil Little Thing 3 years ago
I wear gloves a lot for work, so told my fiance I will only wear a band with no stones.
The Queen Of Upper Butt Crack 3 years ago
No room for the ring in gloves with those sausage fingers
Veronica Bowles 1 year ago
Also, as stated, if that Diamond broke the glove it would have only cut through the rock itself and be uneven and jagged and probably with a bit of the glove sticking to Diamond. Plus, as a health care worker there would be no way in holy heck you could wear that in an exam
David Jenkins 3 years ago
Just goes to show you don't need intelligence to own a big diamond ring
Tarryn Louise 3 years ago
Imagine being that self absorbed. Like really girl? Be like the rest of us and take the rock off your finger when you go to work. smh.
Luna Lovegood! 3 years ago (edited)
well, i didn't know that diamonds have built-in scissors! the more you learn!
María Hermida 3 years ago
If you need to put on gloves it means you have to do your own cleaning, so you are not rich enough even if you have a diamond ring
David Retsler 3 years ago
So, she wasn't smart enough to take the rig off after the first time it happened? Moron.
Black Karen 3 years ago
For all of you commenting ppl are actually "allowed" to wear engagement rings in health care. And having gloves ripped by your ring is an actual thing. It happens. but its very tasteless to take a pic and post it
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
There is no jo in the world where you're required to wear examination gloves but not required to remove jewellery. F -u -ck off
Dillon Hughes 3 years ago
Anyone with that ring is smart enough to take it off or would never be working in a field, at all, let alone one where gloves were needed.
Zena Marsh 3 years ago
Did the nasty big stone make a hole in your glove? Memo to self, take ring off next time.
abby smink 3 years ago
I mean, there is a reason (or a few) why jewelry like this isn't allowed to be worn while working in the hospital.
BabaBizzle 3 years ago
Her cubic zirconia engagement (to herself from herself) ring conveniently pokes out of gloves which are made to not rip that easily... Sure Jan. Go fake another fiancé.
Charlotte Cottrell 3 years ago
I'm a nurse. A nurse with a big 'ol honkin' diamond engagement ring. I wear gloves all. the. time. This never happens. Unless you cut your glove with a pair of scissors which she obviously did.
Analyn Lahr 3 years ago
Maybe keep the ring in your locker and you won't go through so many gloves. I hear there might be a shortage.
Leslie Burleson 3 years ago
Bish I'd show that off too ! Damn ! You can probably see that rock from space
Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago
Gross @ people who say “bish.” So trashy. Anyway I agree that it’s a nice ring but there’s gotta be some level of humility or it ruins the effect.
Load More Replies... StrawberryParfait 3 years ago
What an ugly stone, no sparkle. Such an odd placement too--it looks like a bean. Bigger diamonds don't mean better quality. A large diamond without the sparkle of a smaller, high quality stone just looks tacky and like someone had an issue with size.
#10
" Just A Kid In My Bedroom" Who Is Actually A God
Sarcastic Panda 3 years ago
wait what the hell did I just read?? Harry got the right reaction tbh
#11
Bible Belt Humblebrag
Serial pacifist 3 years ago
Yeah, and posting it on Twitter so angels could see your deed and retweet it in heaven.
#12
Subtle
LeighAnne Brown-Pedersen 3 years ago
It’s your humility that makes you attractive. Or your sarcasm.
Additional studies examined the causes of humblebragging; in other words, if this strategy is so bad, why do people engage in it at all? After all, many situations in life involve either complaining or bragging. The humblebrag, the authors discovered, occurs when people try to elicit both sympathy and admiration.
#13
This Guy Has Too Many Friends
#14
Such Grace. Such Restraint
#15
You Lose Touch So Fast
Ryan Deschanel 3 years ago
Actually, it is true, and really annoying. I am French, but sometimes I use English words because I cannot remember the French ones.
#16
It’s So Annoying, Especially Because It’s Daily
Unfortunately, as we already discussed, this produces the opposite effects. However, it is possible that even though you dislike seeing humblebragging in others, you feel that you’ve got no choice but to model the behavior of people in your network who use this strategy. But the Harvard-UNC study suggests you need to fight off this impulse.
#17
So Embarrassing
Lauren Caswell 3 years ago
Sooo embarrassing.....that you feel the need to pretend to react for likes. Let your dancing speak itself, smh
#18
This Is The Very Definition Of Humble Brag
LeighAnne Brown-Pedersen 3 years ago
Anyone with one comma in their account isn’t broke... but two commas! And do they have Wells Fargo in Dubai. No, really, this is from Warren Buffet in Omaha, right!
#19
She Made Up A Story In Order To Flex
#20
University Is So Wierd
When you think about it, no wonder so many humblebraggers reveal their true colors online. Social media is a lot to blame for this.
As writer Roxanne Batty pointed out, Zuckerberg, for example, promised Facebook would "give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected." Systrom, a year after starting Instagram, described the platform as "a storytelling service…the way you go out in the world and tell a story about your life." Not to be outshone, Snapchat took this rhetoric one step further, their original mission being to "empower people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together."
It all may sound lovely, but people have taken these slogans to the extreme.
#21
Ughhh, Im Sooeee Bad At Drawing
Shelp 3 years ago
How I understand it: what he drew was the eye on the right, but because people like him and don't want him to feel bad, they pretend his drawing to be as good as the one on the left. That's my headcanonical explanation and I don't want any facts or logical explanation to divert me from it.
#22
A Humblebrag Of The Finest Quality
Serial pacifist 3 years ago
Yeah, just a few more inches short of being secure, those darn two inches down there...
#23
Good On You For Being Fluent In 4 Languages
Consider Instagram. The platform focuses on images, the perfect breeding ground for the infamous humblebrag. "Selfies, the bread and butter of the network, are a source of bragging in their own right. But to downplay this outright display of narcissism, they are now combined with heartfelt captions," Batty said.
#24
What She Said: Happy Mother’s Day, Ugly!
Serial pacifist 3 years ago
"You gave birth to a dynamite". Luckily it didn't blow up in her face.
#25
Girl I Went To School With Always Posts Dumb Things Like This
#26
Humblebrag
HufflePuffleGothleGay 3 years ago
why is catcalling immpressive? its usually creepy old men jackin off in allyways?
#27
Self Explanatory
"Look at this amazing shot of me where my skin and hair are flawless! But oops, I actually wanted to talk about how life is a struggle and being a social media influencer isn't all it's cracked up to be... #selfcare #love #mentalhealth." Sounds familiar? That's probably because you've seen this post a million times.
#28
*my Wife- That's Amazing
#29
Floyd Mayweather The King Of The Humblebrag
LeighAnne Brown-Pedersen 3 years ago
Way to take a proud moment in your son’s life and make it about you. My mom would be so proud.
#30
Everybody Wants To Do Me Lmao!
"In a move to take some of the market share from Snapchat, Instastories also became part of the platform in 2016. These 24-hour windows provided a wealth of opportunities for a quick snappy humble brag (that disappears, so it’s all good). 'Oh, look at me with all my friends at this party! I should be studying for my law degree (at Harvard, whoops!) #FML #lifeishard.'"
#31
Poor Guy
#32
How Would I Know?
#33
Hope Its A Good One
The term itself was coined by the comedian Harris Wittels, a writer for the NBC series “Parks and Recreation,” who collects hundreds of these cockeyed chestnuts on his Twitter feed and in his new book, both called “Humblebrag.”
#34
Don’t Mind Me Just Getting My Iphones Mixed Up
#35
He Wasn't Event Trying To Flex, Guys. He's Just That Rich
#36
Weird Flex But Okay
#37
Don't Be Too Humble
#38
I Wish I Could Be Unhealthy But I’m Just Too Fit!
#39
Can’t Relate
#40
Phew!! That Was A Close One
#41
Guys She's Struggling With Finding Herself
Serial pacifist 3 years ago (edited)
I think you should unite your parents' affiliations and be an English patient.
#42
$4000 A Day? How Will He Eat?
#43
Yeah...the Switch Makes It Enjoyable
#44
Oh Such Agony
#45
I’m Sure Your Sister Appreciates That Post
#46
“Check Out How Many Guys Want Me!”
#47
Mom, You're Making My Life So Hard!!
#48
Girl On My Facebook
#49
She Is Fed Up With All The Guys Giving Her Business Cards
Steffen Buchert 3 years ago
If he gives you his business card, he probably wants to do business. And 3 clients in a month is pretty lame.
![Strangers Are Always Staring At My [butt]. Amusing!](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6034d85d89c86_bxg281w65rc31__700.jpg "Strangers Are Always Staring At My [butt]. Amusing!")
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What do you think ?
Doggo Froggo 3 years ago
Wow. Just wow. I don't think many posts make me feel sick, cringe and laugh all at the same time.
Sky Render 3 years ago
A few of these exemplify why I never discuss any of my atypical attributes with people I don't know. No matter what it is, no matter how inconsequential those traits might be, someone is going to interpret it as bragging. Though most of those were pretty blatantly just attention-whoring...
Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago
Agree but part of the point is to be socially / self aware enough to know appropriate venues for talking about atypical / fancy traits of yours. Of course there’s also a limit to that. People are so jealous and in such struggle / pain that they will see a person doing well and automatically label that person a braggart. In which case there’s no justification in hiding your atypical or expensive things just to make someone feel better.
Load More Replies...
Ron Santos 3 years ago
Title is wrong. More like Two Times People “Humble bragged” and Got Shamed for it, plus 48 times nobody said sh¡t about it.”
Mark Muirhead 3 years ago
Yes, exactly. I'm looking at half of them wondering where the shaming comments are. There is one (about 3 year old saying words don't die) and there IS a picture where someone has replied "that didn't happen" but it's not here. What's going on with Bored Panda these days?
Load More Replies...
jonnotheGOAT 3 years ago
nobody:........ the girls who are 100x better than me in art class: omg look at this self portrait it's so bad lol
Oskar vanZandt 3 years ago
It makes me sad to see how many attention-seekers there are on social media... social media platforms have sure enabled a lot of people to over-share (mostly a load of b*llocks).
Cori 3 years ago
Right!? The only social media I bother with, other than BP, is Instagram. You'd have to really dig through my account to find a picture of me because 95% of my content is my madcap assortment of rescue animals and my kids. I couldn't tell you how many followers I have because I genuinely don't care. I feel so bad for people whose self worth depends on 'likes'. It must be a truly miserable existence.
Load More Replies...
Brian Irby 3 years ago
Wonderful. Another post of "Someone does something or says something stupid and the internet shames them for it.." I hope a mob gets these people fired and destroys their lives for doing something stupid. Actually, I didn't read the article. I have enough toxicity in my life without reading another of these painful shaming posts. But, it seems the world tilts towards public shaming. Too bad we dismantled the stocks.
Karin Jansen 3 years ago
Isn't almost every single post on Instagram or Facebook a humble brag though? "Look at this selfie of me eating a bagel. Now upvote and tell me I'm pretty and quirky!"
Mark and Elmo 3 years ago
They really be trying to act cool so others could get a reaction to their stupidity. Bull****.
Lynny Brobst 2 years ago
It's like when a kid gets in the pool and mom is distracted so the kid does "tricks" to get her to look. "MOM LOOK MOM!! I DID A HANDSTAND! ARE YA LOOKIN? LOOK I CAN FLOAT! MOOMMMMMM!!!??" Pretty much the same thing lol
Joyce Blodgett 2 years ago
I think I'd far rather live the very simple, very quiet life I do than to have to make up tales that others can see through. In this day and age of the faster-than-lightning speed of most of the Internet, where lies can be proven to be just that, why say things that aren't true? Just a rhetorical question, not one worth answering.
Luisa Vasconcelos 3 years ago
I could read only 50. (yes I'm bragging) . Too much to handle this need to be superior.
CatWoman312 3 years ago
I rolled my eyes so many times at these posts I feel like I might be cross eyed now
Ivana 3 years ago
It has actually become really popular for people to brag about their wealth. Younger audiences love it and I have no idea why. People that flaunt expensive houses and cars, even straight up pictures with a ton of cash get a ton of followers. Like the freaking Kardashians, people are just super into this sort of thing and I don't get it.
Mere Cat 3 years ago (edited)
I'd say that if someone buys a homeless person food just to brag about it on social media, brag away! The homeless person has food they wouldn't otherwise have = good! (Then there are the a-holes that are lying about their "charity", eff them.) Edit: just to make clear: I'm not saying the bragger is a nice person (far from it) but they brought good to the world on that instance, no matter the motives.
Doggo Froggo 3 years ago
Wow. Just wow. I don't think many posts make me feel sick, cringe and laugh all at the same time.
Sky Render 3 years ago
A few of these exemplify why I never discuss any of my atypical attributes with people I don't know. No matter what it is, no matter how inconsequential those traits might be, someone is going to interpret it as bragging. Though most of those were pretty blatantly just attention-whoring...
Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago
Agree but part of the point is to be socially / self aware enough to know appropriate venues for talking about atypical / fancy traits of yours. Of course there’s also a limit to that. People are so jealous and in such struggle / pain that they will see a person doing well and automatically label that person a braggart. In which case there’s no justification in hiding your atypical or expensive things just to make someone feel better.
Load More Replies... Ron Santos 3 years ago
Title is wrong. More like Two Times People “Humble bragged” and Got Shamed for it, plus 48 times nobody said sh¡t about it.”
Mark Muirhead 3 years ago
Yes, exactly. I'm looking at half of them wondering where the shaming comments are. There is one (about 3 year old saying words don't die) and there IS a picture where someone has replied "that didn't happen" but it's not here. What's going on with Bored Panda these days?
Load More Replies... jonnotheGOAT 3 years ago
nobody:........ the girls who are 100x better than me in art class: omg look at this self portrait it's so bad lol
Oskar vanZandt 3 years ago
It makes me sad to see how many attention-seekers there are on social media... social media platforms have sure enabled a lot of people to over-share (mostly a load of b*llocks).
Cori 3 years ago
Right!? The only social media I bother with, other than BP, is Instagram. You'd have to really dig through my account to find a picture of me because 95% of my content is my madcap assortment of rescue animals and my kids. I couldn't tell you how many followers I have because I genuinely don't care. I feel so bad for people whose self worth depends on 'likes'. It must be a truly miserable existence.
Load More Replies... Brian Irby 3 years ago
Wonderful. Another post of "Someone does something or says something stupid and the internet shames them for it.." I hope a mob gets these people fired and destroys their lives for doing something stupid. Actually, I didn't read the article. I have enough toxicity in my life without reading another of these painful shaming posts. But, it seems the world tilts towards public shaming. Too bad we dismantled the stocks.
Karin Jansen 3 years ago
Isn't almost every single post on Instagram or Facebook a humble brag though? "Look at this selfie of me eating a bagel. Now upvote and tell me I'm pretty and quirky!"
Mark and Elmo 3 years ago
They really be trying to act cool so others could get a reaction to their stupidity. Bull****.
Lynny Brobst 2 years ago
It's like when a kid gets in the pool and mom is distracted so the kid does "tricks" to get her to look. "MOM LOOK MOM!! I DID A HANDSTAND! ARE YA LOOKIN? LOOK I CAN FLOAT! MOOMMMMMM!!!??" Pretty much the same thing lol
Joyce Blodgett 2 years ago
I think I'd far rather live the very simple, very quiet life I do than to have to make up tales that others can see through. In this day and age of the faster-than-lightning speed of most of the Internet, where lies can be proven to be just that, why say things that aren't true? Just a rhetorical question, not one worth answering.
Luisa Vasconcelos 3 years ago
I could read only 50. (yes I'm bragging) . Too much to handle this need to be superior.
CatWoman312 3 years ago
I rolled my eyes so many times at these posts I feel like I might be cross eyed now
Ivana 3 years ago
It has actually become really popular for people to brag about their wealth. Younger audiences love it and I have no idea why. People that flaunt expensive houses and cars, even straight up pictures with a ton of cash get a ton of followers. Like the freaking Kardashians, people are just super into this sort of thing and I don't get it.
Mere Cat 3 years ago (edited)
I'd say that if someone buys a homeless person food just to brag about it on social media, brag away! The homeless person has food they wouldn't otherwise have = good! (Then there are the a-holes that are lying about their "charity", eff them.) Edit: just to make clear: I'm not saying the bragger is a nice person (far from it) but they brought good to the world on that instance, no matter the motives.
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