Everyone knows a one-upper. You know, the one person who
always feels like sharing a "better" story on the heels of yours. Only
that story is not better. Never. In fact, most times it’s flat, annoying and
exceedingly awkward for a group in a social setting. Most know the one-upper’s
story is merely a cry for attention but they are still torn between genuinely
feeling sorry for the guilty party and wishing a magical bouncer would appear and
firmly escort he or she out of the room.
It’s a delicate dance, dealing with a one-upper. No one
wants to be rude. But no one wants to lose those lingering effects of a good
joke, persuasive point or emotional moment to senseless and often times unbelievable
blabber. Really? We challenge the one-upper in our heads. Do you really have a
funnier story than the one which almost made me spew my drink on my wife’s
shoulder? Probably not, and now you’re just talking nonsense again.
It’s interesting to note the behavior when someone realizes
that someone else is a one-upper. Because we humans usually give each other the
benefit of the doubt, at first the one-upper is given the stage and the
opportunity to receive questions. As the group conversation evolves however,
and the proverbial mic returns to the one-upper, behaviors change. Eye contact breaks.
Hands check cell phones more often. They are fewer and fewer members interested
in the conversation until eventually all follow-up questions dry up. The
one-upper is all but neutered and unfortunately most group conversation then
break apart.
Now if you just read this and have written a better post
about one-uppers, please keep it to yourself.
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