Friendship and common ground

What’s your take on people who constantly play down to someone else's level, whether they're dealing with a total pushover or actually someone smarter than them? In the first case, they’re basically just looking for easy prey—someone naive enough to be a perfect target for manipulation, whether it's an employee, a partner, or just some friend they can twist around their finger. But when they run into someone truly sharp and genuine, they pull this fake act where they pretend to be just as smart just to fit in, even though they're totally different underneath. It’s all a game. What kind of people actually click, and why? Is jealousy baked into our DNA? And honestly, how many people are actually real once they strip away all those social masks we wear? Why do we gravitate toward certain people while ignoring others? Do you guys actually respect people who are smarter than you? I was just hearing this story about two high-flying narcissists in the corporate world who were supposed to be best friends, but it was pure poison. One was constantly sabotaging the other, stabbing him in the back, and turning his back the second things got good—he just couldn't stomach the other guy having more success. Can two powerhouse personalities ever actually be true, honest friends, or are they always going to see each other as threats? What is the human psyche actually made of? Are any of us truly equals?

The human psyche—it's a total nightmare.

Honestly, it’d be a total win if people actually took their Halloween masks off instead of just throwing them back on again

What can I even say? It all just feels like manipulation.

ambercrane722 said:Honestly, it’d be a total win if people actually took their Halloween masks off instead of just throwing them back on again

then we might actually have a real helloween

No, I’m certainly not interested in playing the martyr, taking on everyone else's sins just to avoid carrying the cross myself.
Some sort of rebellious Jesus, perhaps, but it isn't my job to be the wise one here. 🤦

Politics tells you everything you need to know; just look at how people within and between the parties align. It’s the same story everywhere you go.

It’s tough, man... really tough. I feel like genuine friendships where people aren't constantly trying to outdo one another are incredibly rare. There's always this one person trying to play the leader, while everyone else just follows along like sheep. Personally, I can tell you I actually prefer hanging out with people who are sharper than me—it gives me a chance to learn something new—but I absolutely cannot stand it when someone tries to lecture me or talk down to me. I hate that. And the irony is, it’s usually the ones who don't have a clue who try the hardest to act like they do. From what I've seen, women tend to play those little games too, especially when guys are involved... God forbid someone else catches her eye before you do, we're heading straight home 🙂

silvertrucker96 said:It’s tough, man... really tough. I feel like genuine friendships where people aren't constantly trying to outdo one another are incredibly rare. There's always this one person trying to play the leader, while everyone else just follows along like sheep. Personally, I can tell you I actually prefer hanging out with people who are sharper than me—it gives me a chance to learn something new—but I absolutely cannot stand it when someone tries to lecture me or talk down to me. I hate that. And the irony is, it’s usually the ones who don't have a clue who try the hardest to act like they do. From what I've seen, women tend to play those little games too, especially when guys are involved... God forbid someone else catches her eye before you do, we're heading straight home 🙂

I truly love being around people who challenge my way of thinking. It doesn't bother me at all if someone is smarter than I am; in fact, I see it as motivation to keep growing. Who doesn't love a good deep conversation? 😲

I personally don't care for it, though one could certainly lose themselves in it for hours on end.

briskrider20 said:I personally don't care for it, though one could certainly lose themselves in it for hours on end.

Just philosophizing? 😲

Jerry Bishop4 said:Just philosophizing? 😲

Yes, just imagine—I might actually get killed for it.

briskrider20 said:Yes, just imagine—I might actually get killed for it.

Come on, why so serious? It's actually a good thing, especially for everyone else who feels the same way. 😍

Jerry Bishop4 said:I truly love being around people who challenge my way of thinking. It doesn't bother me at all if someone is smarter than I am; in fact, I see it as motivation to keep growing. Who doesn't love a good deep conversation? 😲

It doesn't bother me either, and there's nothing wrong with getting lost in a good debate... but some people just can't wrap their heads around any opinion but their own. They just talk and talk at you without actually listening. Those are the types I really can't stand. 🙂

silvertrucker96 said:It doesn't bother me either, and there's nothing wrong with getting lost in a good debate... but some people just can't wrap their heads around any opinion but their own. They just talk and talk at you without actually listening. Those are the types I really can't stand. 🙂

At that point, it isn't a discussion, it's a dictatorship, right? Once I realize that's what's happening, I just stop trying. What's the point of talking to someone if it always turns into this loop:

Me 1.

Them 2.

Me 3.

Them 2 again.

In those cases, I just say "you're right" and keep my actual thoughts to myself. 🤣

Jerry Bishop4 said:At that point, it isn't a discussion, it's a dictatorship, right? Once I realize that's what's happening, I just stop trying. What's the point of talking to someone if it always turns into this loop:

Me 1.

Them 2.

Me 3.

Them 2 again.

In those cases, I just say "you're right" and keep my actual thoughts to myself. 🤣

exactly—a dictator. why even bother arguing? 🙂 they walk around thinking they're the smartest people in the room, convinced everyone else needs to adopt their exact worldview. honestly, it doesn't bother me if someone actually is smarter than I am—I'm certainly not claiming to be some genius—but I don't have such a massive ego that I need to win every single interaction. 😁

silvertrucker96 said:exactly—a dictator. why even bother arguing? 🙂 they walk around thinking they're the smartest people in the room, convinced everyone else needs to adopt their exact worldview. honestly, it doesn't bother me if someone actually is smarter than I am—I'm certainly not claiming to be some genius—but I don't have such a massive ego that I need to win every single interaction. 😁

Honestly, it’s just those types of people who won't back down even when they know they're wrong. There's really no point in engaging with them, right? I'd much rather save my energy for open-minded folks who can actually trade ideas and respect different perspectives. Wouldn't that be a much better way to live?

I just love it when I lay out my thoughts and the other person responds with, "You know, I never actually looked at it that way before." Isn't that the best feeling? 😲

I have little patience for those who cling to the status quo simply because they believe age automatically grants them authority. While I respect seniority and those who have mastered a trade, wisdom isn't a birthright, and spirituality certainly isn't defined by how many years you've been on this earth.

briskrider20 said:I have little patience for those who cling to the status quo simply because they believe age automatically grants them authority. While I respect seniority and those who have mastered a trade, wisdom isn't a birthright, and spirituality certainly isn't defined by how many years you've been on this earth.

I'm with you on that. I hate it when someone tries to lecture me just because of their age or because they've "seen it all" and survived enough hardships to justify being condescending—especially when they clearly don't know what they're talking about. Why should seniority give anyone a free pass to be wrong?☕

Jerry Bishop4 said:I'm with you on that. I hate it when someone tries to lecture me just because of their age or because they've "seen it all" and survived enough hardships to justify being condescending—especially when they clearly don't know what they're talking about. Why should seniority give anyone a free pass to be wrong?☕

Super, because there are plenty of people older than me who aren't immune to these pathetic daily realities, even if it looks that way to an outsider. And unlike certain people on this forum, I’m certainly not claiming to be perfect. ☕
I'm not naming names.