What do people boast about you?

[Parsimonious]

I'm not quite sure I got this grammatically right. What I mean is: When people (e.g. your partner, parents, grandparents) boast in front of others about you, what do they mention?

I know that my family is the annoying "academic achievement" type. I hate that, because they get so competitive about this. "Oh, nice that your grandkid did that and that. But MY grandkid did that and that!" I think it's great if somebody graduates from school or college. It doesn't get less of an achievement by other people having done this faster/with better grades/while doing whatever else. I wish people in my family could acknowledge that.
(I have to admit that I somehow support this habit in my grandma by sending her copies of books and stuff. I hate the habit, but I know it makes her happy...)

My husband has the 'we're odd folks' way of boasting. My absolute favorite:
"We'll, I'm lucky we don't have a TV. It means I can spend the nights reading to my wife while she crochets."
He also boasts about my computer skills. He's a coder, and herearound that's a very male-dominated business. When his colleagues complain about their female partners' need of technical help, he'll drop a line like "Well, her Java skills aren't that good, but she's better than me in LaTeX, and we're at the same level in ActionScript." I love his sense of humor, and I don't think he devalues anybody with this form of boasting

Now: What do people boast about you, and do you like it?

[Parsimonious]

Who said that selfishness is a bad thing :-D

No, seriously: That's not selfishness, that's having a positive self-image. If we compliment other people about their achievements and abilities, we should also be able to stand receiving a compliment/being boasted about our own.

I guess that boasting to make people feel less good/worthy/skilled than you is mean. But using boasting to express "I am this way or that way - and I like it!", or "I'm proud on person-so-and-so because...", that's OK, I think.

[nancycg56]

My family, especially my DH, tells everyone what an excellent cook I am. That's fine but I have had people TELL me that they would never invite us to dinner or a party because they can't cook as well as I do. Isn't that the dumbest thing you ever heard? Personally, I could care less if someone serves me dirt ~ I am there for the friendship.

It drives me nuts and I told to DH to knock it off.

[Dancing Lotus]

I'm not Martha Stewart , not even close but people have been known to compare me to her. MY husband loves to tell people about my cooking, he also brags that I am loving and supportive. He is proud of my creativity. But I don't think anyone has ever boosted about my intellect LOL

[jamie79]

Dh brags to his army buddies that I am a greay cook. Now if you have ever fed a bunch of army guys just coming out of the field, they would eat anything. I am a good cook but not a great one. To me its funny.

[McD]

My mom always brags to people that I completed my bachelor's degree in less than 2 years, while hubby was deployed, working 40 hours, and taking care of Wesley.

I've never heard hubby brag on me--but I know when he took his polygraph for the police department, they asked him who was the one person he admired/respected the most and he told them me. This was told to me by the woman who administered his polygraph, so I think that's pretty cool.

[forHISglory]

My mirror doesn't lie, and I know that I am not beautiful. But Hubby tells me that I am, and he almost has me believing it! And he tells others that his wife is beautiful. What a guy!

People (including Hubby) tell me that I am creative and resourceful and compassionate and wise. Family members admire our money management (it's not just me on that, but a team of Hubby and me).

There are lots of college grads in our extended family, but my grandparents used to brag on how I was the first to complete graduate school. (Since then, several others have completed it, also.) Family is also proud of how I am a published writer.

Co-workers told me that I was dependable, creative, and responsible and caring towards the students.

And my grandkids tell me the best stuff: that I am perfect!!!!!

[The Muse]

My friends talk about my intelligence, drive, style, and fabulous shoe wardrobe.

My DH talks about my cooking, beauty, way with money, intelligence and "presence". He says that when I walk into a room, people can't not look at me.

[IntlMom]

Hubby brags on my for my couponing/frugalness skills. He is always saying to husbands "you ought to have your wife get together with mine, she (speaking of me) would love to teach her how to save money and cook economically"........Now not everyone would think this may be a compliment - but me?? I BEAM!!! I love that he appriciates my efforts and wants others to know about them.

He also is more proud of my scrapbooks that I am!

[madhen]

I have been told that I am a good writer (the term, "I hate how you can just vomit that stuff out" has been used) and that I am a good interviewer/interrogator.

I was once told that I had good "child bearing hips." Does that count?

[JustJoy]

My family, friends and co-workers are always talking about my cooking and housekeeping skills. Yes...I'm anal when it comes to keeping my house clean & in order.... They also love that I am on time and dependable.

[frugalbabe]

My writing I have friends who say I need to try and get published as a comedic writer. I do it for me and me alone I have always loved it. Dh says I have the whole package I love to be a homemaker and do things well but I am also active in the community I have started a Charter school, politically active, and have finished college. Good to know others think I am accomplished even when sometimes I feel like a lump!

[cab54]

My family, especially my DH, tells everyone what an excellent cook I am. That's fine but I have had people TELL me that they would never invite us to dinner or a party because they can't cook as well as I do. Isn't that the dumbest thing you ever heard? Personally, I could care less if someone serves me dirt ~ I am there for the friendship.

It drives me nuts and I told to DH to knock it off.

This is me, too. DH brags on my cooking skills which are passable, but not fantastic. I have dabbled in some gourmet and French cooking, and USED to like doing that for years, but now that I am SICK of cooking (LOL), no one has ever invited us, even family, to dinner, only about twice in 30 years! I tell every body that I just cook normally, and food is JUST food, but to no avail.

[WV_mom_of2]

Dh tells all his friends that I am a great cook and wife and that I spoil him rotten. None of their wives cut up the meat in bite sized pieces before they pack it into their dh's lunches LOL. I do like it! I am old fashioned and like the "June Cleaver" thing. I LIKE being a mom and wife, I like being home, I like to cook and do laundry, etc. So when dh makes a comment that I'm a great cook or whatever, I love it! I feel like I'm doing a good job at what makes me happy!


My mom and great aunt talk about what a great mom I am. My mom has said that she never worries about my kids like she does with my nieces and nephews because she KNOWS mine are well taken care of and loved.

My boss tells everyone that I run the show and he couldn't do without me. He says I make his job so much easier and more enjoyable because he knows that things are done right and he can go away for a few days and not have to worry. He is NOT a man who believes in compliments at all, not with employees or even his family. His idea is that people shouldn't need to hear compliments if they know they are doing the right thing or doing a good job. So when I hear him say something like it, it makes me feel really good.

People that I work with and guests in our park say that I am really sweet and that I really go out of my way to be helpful and pleasant.

Maybe I'm vain but I enjoy hearing something nice said about me!

[FrugalWitch]

What I hear most often is that I'm a great cook, highly dependable, can keep a cool head during medical emergencies and that I'm extremely tender-hearted about animals and the elderly.

How true any of that is, I don't really know.