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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.

"[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

Ah Yes

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Sum Guy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The reason they said Ex instead of specifics is because when being called out, they can claim it's just another ex

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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

I Laughed More Than I Should’ve

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Foxxy (The Original)
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#4

Woman Got Called Out In A Facebook Group For Humblebragging About Paying For Someone’s Burger And Fries

Woman Got Called Out In A Facebook Group For Humblebragging About Paying For Someone’s Burger And Fries

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Mishte Tine
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can’t dis this person. They fed someone. It made them feel good. Sure it’s a humble brag, but at least it’s a good one.

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Leslie Burleson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do people feel the need to judge others online like it's their job. It was nice of her to do that, and you usually share that information to encourage others to pay it forward

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Gary h
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dunno man, I post when I buy people food just to make my friends list feel like crappy people for not also doing it. It's all in the wording I guess. "If my broke ass can buy a homeless dude a sandwich, so can yours". See?

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CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s all the internet is anymore. Let me grab my camera and video me saving this drowning child so the internet will love me

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von Funnyname
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Black Mirror, s3e1 - Nosedive. I feel like every single person should watch at least this episode because of the world we are cultivating.

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Nimaira
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is why so many ppl have low self esteem. If you can't pat yourself on the back for something good you have done, then how do you learn to be proud of yourself? Humans are strange as hell. We humiliate those who do well just because we aren't doing the same? If you feel ashamed, maybe it's because you know you could be doing the same and you chose not to.

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Evan Martin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha. Being proud of yourself/learning to love yourself...and desperately needing/seeking outside validation are two very different things. Self-esteem does NOT come from the outside...just sayin

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BabaBizzle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s *you’re* but they’re too busy showing off to realize they can’t spell.

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Saoznei
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the kind of thing that makes me mad instantly 😤

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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

These People Are Cancer

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#6

Loves His Niece

Loves His Niece

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"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

Saw This In My Feed And Felt It Belonged Here

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#8

Mum's Stretching The Truth

Mum's Stretching The Truth

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Shelp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All the languages who disappeared without leaving a trace would like to have a word with your son.

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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."

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#9

If Only There Were A Way To Prevent This From Happening

If Only There Were A Way To Prevent This From Happening

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#10

" Just A Kid In My Bedroom" Who Is Actually A God

" Just A Kid In My Bedroom" Who Is Actually A God

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Sarcastic Panda
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wait what the hell did I just read?? Harry got the right reaction tbh

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#11

Bible Belt Humblebrag

Bible Belt Humblebrag

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Serial pacifist
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, and posting it on Twitter so angels could see your deed and retweet it in heaven.

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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.

#15

You Lose Touch So Fast

You Lose Touch So Fast

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Ryan Deschanel
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, it is true, and really annoying. I am French, but sometimes I use English words because I cannot remember the French ones.

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#16

It’s So Annoying, Especially Because It’s Daily

It’s So Annoying, Especially Because It’s Daily

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Shelp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They forgot to precise "roll my BEAUTIFUL eyes (did I mentioned the fact that I had BEAUTIFUL eyes?) and walk away".

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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

So Embarrassing

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Lauren Caswell
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sooo embarrassing.....that you feel the need to pretend to react for likes. Let your dancing speak itself, smh

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#18

This Is The Very Definition Of Humble Brag

This Is The Very Definition Of Humble Brag

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LeighAnne Brown-Pedersen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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!

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#19

She Made Up A Story In Order To Flex

She Made Up A Story In Order To Flex

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#20

University Is So Wierd

University Is So Wierd

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N G
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's nothing. Bored Panda just entered my comments into a contest and i won $501

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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."

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It all may sound lovely, but people have taken these slogans to the extreme.

#21

Ughhh, Im Sooeee Bad At Drawing

Ughhh, Im Sooeee Bad At Drawing

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Shelp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#22

A Humblebrag Of The Finest Quality

A Humblebrag Of The Finest Quality

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Serial pacifist
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, just a few more inches short of being secure, those darn two inches down there...

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#23

Good On You For Being Fluent In 4 Languages

Good On You For Being Fluent In 4 Languages

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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!

What She Said: Happy Mother’s Day, Ugly!

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#25

Girl I Went To School With Always Posts Dumb Things Like This

Girl I Went To School With Always Posts Dumb Things Like This

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#26

Humblebrag

Humblebrag

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#27

Self Explanatory

Self Explanatory

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Shelp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you precisely know how much the items you have with you are worth, then you're insecure about being rich.

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"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

*my Wife- That's Amazing

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#29

Floyd Mayweather The King Of The Humblebrag

Floyd Mayweather The King Of The Humblebrag

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LeighAnne Brown-Pedersen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Way to take a proud moment in your son’s life and make it about you. My mom would be so proud.

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#30

Everybody Wants To Do Me Lmao!

Everybody Wants To Do Me Lmao!

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Shelp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I'm 19, look at me, how unique I am, nobody ever was that age before me"

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"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.'"

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

Don’t Mind Me Just Getting My Iphones Mixed Up

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Shelp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By being unable to distinguish between his two phones, he admits to be a sheep for having bought both

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#35

He Wasn't Event Trying To Flex, Guys. He's Just That Rich

He Wasn't Event Trying To Flex, Guys. He's Just That Rich

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#38

I Wish I Could Be Unhealthy But I’m Just Too Fit!

I Wish I Could Be Unhealthy But I’m Just Too Fit!

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#40

Phew!! That Was A Close One

Phew!! That Was A Close One

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#41

Guys She's Struggling With Finding Herself

Guys She's Struggling With Finding Herself

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Serial pacifist
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think you should unite your parents' affiliations and be an English patient.

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#42

$4000 A Day? How Will He Eat?

$4000 A Day? How Will He Eat?

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#45

I’m Sure Your Sister Appreciates That Post

I’m Sure Your Sister Appreciates That Post

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#46

“Check Out How Many Guys Want Me!”

“Check Out How Many Guys Want Me!”

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#47

Mom, You're Making My Life So Hard!!

Mom, You're Making My Life So Hard!!

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#48

Girl On My Facebook

Girl On My Facebook

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#49

She Is Fed Up With All The Guys Giving Her Business Cards

She Is Fed Up With All The Guys Giving Her Business Cards

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Steffen Buchert
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If he gives you his business card, he probably wants to do business. And 3 clients in a month is pretty lame.

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#50

“I’m An Actor”

“I’m An Actor”

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Shelp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like actors are the worst. They're bragging about it the whole time. Maybe there's a reason they were considered to be lower than prostitutes in ancient Greece.

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Note: this post originally had 88 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.