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How to deal with “Know-it-alls” or people who pretend to know everything?

Know-it-alls

Have you ever met someone who always pretends to know everything about everything? This type of person is often referred to as a “know-it-all.” They have a tendency to interrupt conversations, give unsolicited advice, and brag about their knowledge of a given topic. It’s common for a know-it-all to come across as arrogant and dismissive of other people’s opinions.

It’s important to recognize that it’s impossible for anyone to know everything, and most people who act like know-it-alls are just trying to seem smarter than they are. In extreme cases, this behavior can be a sign of deeper emotional or psychological problems.

They cause a breakdown in communication.

When two people engage in a conversation, it is important for both parties to listen to each other actively. However, sometimes, one person may not be truly listening and just want to speak and pretend that they know everything. This can lead to a breakdown in communication and even escalate into an argument. In some cases, the person who is not being listened to may continue to talk in an attempt to get their point across, but eventually, they may realize that their words are falling on deaf ears.

Five distinct types of Know-it-all people :

1. The first type is the show-off who wants to impress others. They like to act like they know it all to make themselves look smart.

2. The second type is someone who doesn’t feel confident and doesn’t want to look bad. They pretend to know about a topic to avoid feeling inadequate.

3. The third type is someone who’s not interested in the topic and wants to end the conversation quickly. They pretend to know what’s going on to wrap up the discussion faster.

4. The fourth type is a fast learner who can understand the main idea of a topic quickly. They pretend to know about it because they can pick up on the important parts easily.

5. The fifth type is someone who doesn’t like to gossip or hear negative talk about others. They pretend to know what’s being said so that the gossiper won’t feel proud of spreading rumors.

How to deal with Know-it-alls

Dealing with someone who thinks they know it all can be frustrating and make you feel inferior or angry. But there are ways to handle the situation and avoid letting it ruin your day.

INFJs responses

Here are some ways in which INFJs respond to people who pretend to know everything:

  1.  When confronted with such a situation, I disengage both mentally and physically from the conversation.
  2. I simply smile and ignore them, knowing that the truth will eventually come out.
  3. I usually just leave the conversation and find somewhere else to be.
  4. I respond with “clearly not” and avoid getting into an argument.
  5. I ignore them because they are seeking attention.
  6. I let them talk until they realize that I am not listening.
  7. I give them a death stare.
  8. I just smile and nod.
  9. I let them pretend and conserve my energy, instead of getting into an argument.
  10. I observe patiently and roast them later.
  11. I let stupidity run its course and then ask “are you sure about that?” to watch them struggle.
  12. I used to ask them more questions to make them keep pretending, so I could laugh inside.
  13. I let them believe they are smarter than me and avoid them in the future.
  14. I respond with “totally,” “mhm,” “yeah,” or “okay.”
  15. I tell them “you’re right.”
  16. I don’t interact with them or cut them off.
  17. I remain silent and judge them harshly.
  18. I let them speak, nod politely, and plan to leave the conversation.
  19. either leave or fact-check them with Google
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