Examples of condescending behavior include acting as if you know everything and are not open to new ideas, reacting to an upset with “well, that's never happened to me”, offering unsolicited advice (unless you are a supervisor), not being open to feedback, referring to people in the group in the third person (even if ...
Saying things like “You always make that mistake” or “You never do things properly” is extremely patronizing. It makes the other person feel like a complete failure and by putting them down like that, they are actually more likely to act in that way.
If someone is patronizing, they speak or behave toward you in a way that seems friendly, but that shows that they think they are superior to you. [disapproval] The tone of the interview was unnecessarily patronizing.
To patronize someone is usually to be in agreement with someone in a sarcastic manner or in a superior (know it all) way. To be condescending is to speak to someone as if they are below you or have less individual value as you, if you are condescending you speak down to others.
What is Demeaning Behaviour? Demeaning behaviour is any action or communication that makes someone else feel inferior or less valuable than they actually are. This behaviour comes in many different forms. Expressions of demeaning behaviour may include verbal, non-verbal, and overt behaviours.
The Psychology Behind Condescending Behaviour
Often, the root of condescension is insecurity. Those who aren't confident in their abilities will look for opportunities to prove their superiority and take comfort in it.
“Condescending behaviors may include insulting or belittling comments, failure to recognize strengths or accomplishments, a dismissive attitude, or a holier-than-thou demeanor,” explains Oona Metz, LICSW, a psychotherapist in Boston, Massachusetts.
Condescending behaviors often come from people who are insecure, controlling, and afraid to be vulnerable. A condescending person may not even realize that their behavior is problematic and hurtful. However, their actions and words speak very loudly.
There are many ways of patronising people. 'Damning with faint praise' is one of them. This means expressing a compliment so weak that it amounts to no compliment at all, or even implies a kind of insult.
Be honest. If someone says something to you that is condescending, even in an offhand kind of way, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. Let the person know that you feel talked down to, and that the condescension was uncalled for. Being honest is crucial if you want to deal with the situation.
If someone patronizes you, they speak or behave towards you in a way which seems friendly, but which shows that they think they are superior to you in some way. [disapproval] Don't you patronize me! [
: showing or characterized by a patronizing or superior attitude toward others. condescendingly. ˌkän-di-ˈsen-diŋ-lē adverb.
Calmly and professionally call out the patronizing person without making a scene or being dramatic by pointedly yet politely saying, “Gee, that comment sounded a bit condescending to me. Mind dropping the attitude?” Hopefully, he takes you up on the do-over opportunity.
Don't make a scene, but tell the person privately that their condescending words or behaviour are not okay with you, and give them the chance to talk it out with you in a constructive way. If you feel like you are struggling to remain calm in the situation, explain to them that you are going to walk away.
A narcissist is someone who is arrogant and condescending, enjoys bragging and arguing, and often tries to be the center of attention, says Erika Carlson, a graduate student in psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, and the study's lead author.
Belittling remarks like, “You're so dumb,” or “You would be more attractive if…” might be mistaken for harmless joking or constructive criticism that makes you second guess yourself and wonder if there is any truth in it.
To belittle means to put down, or to make another person feel as though they aren't important. Saying mean things about another person literally makes them feel "little." To belittle someone is a cruel way of making someone else seem less important than yourself.
React to rudeness with kindness.
Don't let a rude person cause you to respond with more of the same hurtful thing. One of the best ways to defuse rude and negative behavior is to stay friendly and positive. This gives the other person a chance to calm down and adjust their behavior to match yours.
Condescension is an insulting way of talking to other people, as if they were stupid or ignorant. Condescension is rude and patronizing. Treating someone with condescension is the opposite of treating them with respect.
Definition of unacceptable behaviour
Unacceptable behaviour means acting in a way that is unreasonable, regardless of the level of someone's stress, frustration, or anger. It may involve acts, words or physical gestures that could cause another person distress or discomfort.
A condescending person can't listen to someone else without constantly looking for ways to interrupt. They will always be looking for a way to prove how right they are and how wrong the other person is. They want to impose their point of view on others, so they don't want to listen from a different perspective.
Patronize comes from Latin patronus "protector, master," related to pater "father." So if you patronize a person, you talk down to them like a father might do to his child or a master to his apprentice.
Modern usage means someone is intentionally trying to make others feel bad because they don't know or have something the condescending person assumes they possess themselves. demeaning - this adjective describes something that attempts, or actually does, lower another person's perceived reputation, value or dignity.