Short advice clip recommending a simple conversational phrase to defuse 'one-uppers.' The speaker suggests asking 'I think you told me about this already' or 'Have you mentioned this to me before?' to subtly shift the conversation and interrupt bragging behavior, noting the tactic is subtle and should be used with discretion.
Look, if you're ever talking to a chronic one upper in a conversation, someone who's always trying to prove that they're doing better than you or they're more accomplished than you, a simple thing you can say to disarm them in the conversation is I think you told me about this already or have you mentioned this to me before? Many one uppers tend to repeat themselves when they're bragging, so it's likely that they already said what they're telling you. And even if they never have, you now just change the direction from the one upping that they're trying to do to Did I tell you about this already? It's subtle, it's not overly combative, but it'll give them a little pause. And please use this at your discretion. Not every one upper needs be checked what they're saying, and their need to one up you in a conversation is already rooted in ego and insecurity. But if you want a little extra tool in your back pocket for dealing with this personality, try this and let me know how it goes.
