Humblebrag: The English We Speak

Rob: Morning Feifei! Nice bike.

Feifei: Thanks Rob, you know I always

cycle to work. And what

a beautiful sports car!

Rob: Oh this old thing? Hey, Feifei, mind

if we take a quick selfie?

Feifei: What, me in my sweaty cycling

gear and you leaning on your fancy...

Rob: Smile!

Right! Let me just post that... out there

"I really respect my super healthy

colleague Feifei cycling to work every day.

It saves money and is so good for the

environment! Much better than lazy

little me driving this old car."

Feifei: Hang on, let me see. You know,

Rob, I'm not sure how I feel about this

post. I mean, it's a bit of a humblebrag.

Rob: A humblebrag?

Feifei: Sorry - I'll just say it straight. You

make it look like you're praising my

cycling, but in fact you're just drawing

attention to your expensive car.

Rob: Hmm.

Feifei: You look like you're being humble,

but in fact you're bragging - showing off -

about your car. It's a humblebrag.

False modesty.

Rob: OK, I get it. You're right. I suppose

that is what I was doing.

Feifei: You're not the only one. It's

everywhere on social media and in the

workplace these days. Check out

these humblebrags:

I never thought I was very good at exams,

so it's a bit confusing that I got top of the

class in all subjects again this year.

I somehow made it to the singing

competition final this year. Think the

judges need their ears testing!

Feifei: And if you want to take your

humblebragging to the next level, try

hiding your brag inside a complaint.

Examples: I'm exhausted because I've just

received two promotions in three months.

I need a holiday!

Help! I can't believe the cakes in first

class aren't sugar-free. I'll be gaining

so much weight.

Rob: Some pretty impressive

humblebrags there! But what exactly is

the problem with it?

Feifei: Well, researchers in Harvard and

the University of North Carolina have

found that if you humblebrag, people like

you less. They say you're better off

just bragging.

Rob: Just plain bragging?

Feifei: Apparently so. Humblebragging

makes you look less sincere.

Rob: Well, that makes sense. Best to say

what I think. Let me change the caption...

Right. "I'm not going to lie, I absolutely

love my new sports car. Feifei's bike isn't

bad either."

Feifei: That'll do! Let me just comment...

"Get some exercise!"

Rob: Very funny. Bye bye!

Feifei: Bye!