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In fact, Napoleon Bonaparte was not short. He was even slightly taller than average for his time - and the legend that he tried to compensate for his lack of height with conquests was actually invented by his enemies, as well as by witnesses who regularly saw him against the backdrop of several 6-foot tall generals. So, the emperor was not trying to overcompensate at all.
Which, however, cannot be said about other people. Unfortunately, we can literally encounter folks at every step whose entire appearance or actions actually scream overcompensating. So today's selection of netizens' opinions really helps to recognize such people and also gives some ideas as to how to deal with them.
More info: Reddit
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#1
The whole "alpha" vibe. because no one is really that confident. Youre acting that way to get the attention youre getting. And it must be exhausting af.
Doctor Strange 4 months ago
I volunteer at a wolf sanctuary. The whole 'alpha' thing is BS. Even the person who did the study originally disproved it himself. It was originally done on wolves in captivity, which is the equivalent of studying prison behavior and thinking that was normal human behavior. In reality, the 'alpha' is the parents of the pack, and the rest are their children. So the guy at the amusement park with the waist pack full of snacks, making sure his kids are happy and well fed? That is the truest alpha male you will ever meet.
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#2
Painting everything around you gold.
Mel in Georgia 4 months ago
I hate what our President is doing to the White House. It's so gaudy!
#3
Revving the engine and speeding down a residential street.
Stephanie Did It 4 months ago
And all the residents on the street are applauding the leadfoot for being sooo impressive and manly.
A few days ago, a post appeared in the AskReddit community, the author of which, the user u/Xenomorphling98, asked the question: "What screams 'I’m overcompensating' whenever you see it?" It must be said that the question was clearly relevant, so in two days, the resulting thread boasts more than 3.2K upvotes and over 2.1K various comments.
Big cars and a huge sense of self-importance, aggressive arrogant behavior and desperate attempts to look better, stronger and more beautiful than a person actually is - and dozens and dozens of other subtle signs - welcome to this list of people's views, made for you by Bored Panda!
#6
The ultra-conservative, hyper aggressive “patriot” small town folks who make their entire personality viciously hating anyone and anything that doesn’t directly involve their hometown and bragging about how badly they wish someone would commit some tiny infraction around them so they can shoot them dead to show how badass and brave they are… basically anyone who likes that song “try that in a small town” .
Let's start with an important caveat: no matter how funny, provocative or gross people with overcompensation may seem to us, this is first and foremost a defense mechanism of our consciousness. Well, to be more precise, even the subconscious. In other words, if a person has some kind of mental complex - real or imaginary - then as a defensive reaction they can develop overcompensation.
Usually, such things manifest themselves in a negative way. For example, a person compensates for their own shyness by being too talkative, their lack of self-confidence by being overly aggressive, and their fear of building relationships by being too promiscuous towards other people. So here is the key wording: "towards other people."
In fact, if overcompensation were directed exclusively inward for the human, "I," there would most likely be no problem. But when directed inward, it often becomes a motivator for positive changes in life. For example, a student who wasn't admitted to the college of their dreams begins to study hard and becomes an outstanding scientist - let's say, in spite of everything.
#7
Giant trucks with Punisher decals all over them.
Doctor Strange 4 months ago
Pretty much everyone I know who had a punisher sticker is exactly the type of person the punisher would hunt down.
#8
MAGA supporters who make it their whole personality. To me it says that their life is completely unremarkable and insignificant and they want to latch onto something popular so they can feel important, no matter how stupid or destructive the thing is. .
Michael Largey 4 months ago
No, no. They are much, much worse than that. MAGA is about fake patriotism, bigotry, sexism, white supremacy, and fascism. It's about hatred of others, not self-importance.
#9
When your entire personality and wardrobe revolves around Harley Davidson motorcycle. I love motorcycles but so many guys are this my entire personality and all there is about me.
Such kinds of overcompensation actually look quite healthy, however, when directed outward, it's usually characterized by three main factors of human behavior: egocentrism, arrogance, and bragging. As a result of these factors, a person often forms a social circle consisting almost exclusively of people who let them assert themselves.
It's just that only in the circle of these people can a person suffering from overcompensation feel really comfortable. Well, the thought that they're actually asserting themselves not at their own expense, but at someone else's, either doesn't occur to them at all, or the aforementioned egocentrism and arrogance quickly drive such thoughts away.
#11
Overly expensive and blingy watch, shoes, purse, house, jewelry, or car. .
Boredandsomea 4 months ago
.. or bunkbedbling..., specially if you all the time trying to show it off to other all the time.... you know who you are
#12
Botox. Fake a*s lips, both types of cheeks. These clown lips gotta stop ladies, just f*****g embrace what you have, Geezus. .
How exactly is the habit of overcompensation formed? Often in childhood, when a combination of various factors: family, social and physical can cause a child to have various complexes about themselves. Very often this can be bullying from peers, unhealthy relationships in the family, or overprotection from parents.
By the way, often the key factor that triggers the overcompensation mechanism in a person is someone close to them, or a person whose opinion they consider authoritative for themselves.
One of the parents or relatives, a teacher, an informal leader of a school group, an older friend, a life partner - sometimes one careless remark is quite enough for a person to feel "inferior" and try to compensate for it through all available means.
#13
Talking too much and dominating conversation. It does not make you look smarter, just rude.
#15
“rolling coal”.
Major Harris 4 months ago
this annoys the heck out of me! the ignorance, "i'm OWNING the libs! i don't care if i am poisoning my kids future! YEE HAW!"
Usually, overcompensation can be dealt with - but for this you need, firstly, desire, secondly, hard will, and thirdly, ideally - the help of a good psychoanalyst. But, first of all, it's the first two factors, because recognizing the need for therapy for a person prone to overcompensation actually means admitting to having a complex. But this is often the most painful thing for them.
#16
Ultra religious who look down upon us plebes who drink alcohol, smoke [grass] and have s*xual relations before marriage.
Major Harris 4 months ago
they do not even follow the words of jesus most of the time. most of the time, they follow the teachings of paul! paul never met nor walked with jesus, yet, he some how seems to think more of what jesus knew than those who walked with him, the actual apostles! paul even rebuked peter, you know, the apostle on whom jesus said that he was his rock and that he would found his faith? oh, and jesus' first miracle was turning water into fine wine at the wedding in canaan, so these people are wrong about alcohol as well!
#18
Any mediocre dude online claiming to be a "high-value man" or an alpha male. Just admit you haven't been laid since high school because of your repellent personality. 🙄.
Michael Largey 4 months ago
I'd aspire to be an "Alfalfa man", but I can't manage the cowlick.
In other words, if you, having read this entire selection to the very end, suddenly realized that someone you know, or maybe you, yourself, are subject to overcompensation - perhaps this will become an important step towards solving a serious mental problem. Willpower and therapy can work wonders - and sometimes it can really improve someone's life.
Well, if this list is missing some of the signs that you consider to be characteristic of overcompensating people - then please feel free to share your ideas in the comments below this post as well. After all, your personal experience and opinion can also be very useful for others.
#19
Lifted F350 that’s clearly never carried anything in the bed of the truck or towed anything.
Earonn - 4 months ago
A neighbour tried to have something like that (the moderate UK version). Yeah, sweetie, not in the the small lanes in the 1870s colonies. Car hardly fit in, could only park at the mouth of the street because it was too big to pass by parked cars and was gone in a couple of weeks. ^^
#20
Not see: hear. Someone that is trying to make their car sound like a very loud F1 car. Despite the fact they’ve got a Honda Civic with an exhaust pipe that looks thicker than my rain gutters. .
#21
Application of beauty filters on each and every photo with duck lips and flawless skin
#22
Steroid dudes. Not just fit or backed people mind you, that's great for them and healthy! But like, obviously juiced humans.
#23
Being overly petty, sarcastic, or mean to people. it takes so much more confidence and courage to be nice and positive to people. i believe overly mean ppl are overcompensating for their insecurities.
#24
Anyone with “Live Laugh Love” decor….
#26
The grills on pickup trucks the last 10 or so years. They’ve gone from steal bumper and grill to big bulbous plastic c**k-sleeve for a truck. It’s ridiculous.
detective miller's hat 4 months ago
I see trucks now with what looks like a whole ąss chainlink fence for a grill, it's absurd.
#27
I love that brodozers are essentially the #1 reply. I live in an area surrounded by them and they are really dumb.
WalterWhiteSavannah 4 months ago
I mean i hate giant jacked up overly loud diesels and pavement princess trucks as much as anyone, but that's just a clean classis mildly lifted blazer. That's a d**n nice vehicle afaic.
#28
People who demand to be the center of attention / life of the party.
Their self-worth is tied to being liked by everyone so their whole personality is “look at me”, for better or worse.
I think they have a poor self image and seek external validation because they’re insecure about who they are.
Michael Largey 4 months ago
But they create a diversion that lets us introverts slip quietly away.
#29
Acting like a tough guy or gal.
Michael Largey 4 months ago
If you want to show how tough you are, be nice to people whether you like them or not.
#30
when someone has a bunch of, poorly done, tattoos. it can be done tastefully but if it’s cheap it usually isnt.
What do you think ?
Ellinor she/they/elle 4 months ago
Rhino not only harasses Nathaniel, but Rhino also upvote their own comments !!
Moxitron Jazz 4 months ago
Rhino (even the name is a hint) seems to be overcompensating pretty bad...
Load More Replies... Major Harris 4 months ago
surprised that there was not a mention of the "gun culture". people whose very existence centered around guns and the mis understood line of the second amendment.
Ellinor she/they/elle 4 months ago
Rhino not only harasses Nathaniel, but Rhino also upvote their own comments !!
Moxitron Jazz 4 months ago
Rhino (even the name is a hint) seems to be overcompensating pretty bad...
Load More Replies... Major Harris 4 months ago
surprised that there was not a mention of the "gun culture". people whose very existence centered around guns and the mis understood line of the second amendment.
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