Obnoxious Behaviors Of Arrogant People That Instantly Kill Their Credibility

Obnoxious Behaviors Of Arrogant People That Instantly Kill Their Credibility

Confidence is attractive, but arrogance? That’s just exhausting. There’s a fine line between being self-assured and being insufferable, and some people bulldoze right over it without a second thought. Whether they’re name-dropping, over-explaining, or acting like the smartest person in the room, their behavior doesn’t make them impressive—it makes them impossible to take seriously. Here are the worst habits of arrogant people that instantly destroy their credibility.

1. They Never Read The Room

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Arrogant people have no idea how they come across, and honestly, they don’t care. They could be in a room full of people politely nodding while secretly looking for an exit, and they’d still think they’re killing it. If a conversation calls for empathy, they bulldoze right through with their own opinions. If it’s a lighthearted moment, they find a way to make it about their personal brilliance. According to Psychology Today, people who lack social awareness often struggle to read social cues and adjust their behavior accordingly. This inability to “read the room” can be a sign of arrogance or narcissism.

They don’t adjust their tone, their attitude, or their approach because in their mind, they’re always the main event. The idea that not every moment needs their input? Doesn’t even cross their mind. And instead of being seen as insightful or impressive, they just end up exhausting everyone in their orbit.

2. They Correct Everyone—Even When They’re Wrong

Nothing screams arrogance like someone who constantly corrects people just to feel superior. It doesn’t even matter if they’re wrong—once they’ve decided they know best, they’ll argue their point into the ground. They don’t care about accuracy; they just care about winning the conversation. Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that people who are overconfident in their knowledge are more likely to reject corrections, even when presented with evidence of their mistakes. This behavior is often associated with arrogance and a need to appear infallible.

The worst part? Even when proven wrong, they won’t back down. Instead of admitting their mistake, they double down, change the subject, or pretend they never actually said what they just said. Instead of looking smart, they just look stubborn and insecure. No one respects a know-it-all who refuses to learn.

3. They Casually Mention Their SAT Score In Their 30s Like It Still Matters

Arrogant people love to bring up outdated achievements like they’re still relevant. If they crushed the SATs in high school, you’ll know about it well into adulthood. If they went to a “prestigious” university, they’ll find a way to mention it in completely unrelated conversations. It’s like they think their past academic performance is some kind of permanent personality trait. A study in the Journal of Adult Development found that adults who frequently reference past academic achievements may be compensating for current insecurities or a lack of recent accomplishments3. This behavior can be perceived as arrogant and out of touch.

But here’s the reality: no one cares. Real success isn’t measured by what you did decades ago—it’s about what you’re doing now. If the highlight of their life happened when they were a teenager, that’s not impressive—it’s just sad. Instead of proving their intelligence, they just prove that they peaked way too early.

4. They’re The Loudest Person In Every Room

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Volume does not equal authority, but arrogant people seem to think otherwise. They believe that if they talk the loudest, interrupt the most, and dominate every conversation, people will automatically respect them. But all it really does is make everyone wish they’d take a deep breath and maybe a step back. A study in the Journal of Human Exceptionality found that name-dropping, especially of famous individuals, is often perceived negatively and can backfire as a self-presentation strategy5. This behavior is typically seen as a sign of insecurity and arrogance rather than genuine connection or importance.

They mistake being overbearing for being interesting, and they have no concept of when to stop talking. The problem is, real credibility doesn’t come from volume—it comes from saying something of actual value. And if they actually listened once in a while instead of just waiting for their next turn to talk, they might realize that.

5. They Drop Famous People’s First Names Without Any Context

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They won’t just say, “I worked on a project with a well-known director.” No, they’ll say, “So anyway, when I was having lunch with Steven…” as if we’re all just supposed to know they mean Spielberg. It’s name-dropping at its worst—desperate, forced, and completely unnecessary.

Arrogant people assume that proximity to fame automatically makes them important. But instead of impressing people, it just makes them sound insecure. If they actually had meaningful connections, they wouldn’t have to remind everyone every five minutes. The people who are truly successful don’t name-drop—they let their work speak for itself.

6. They’re Unnecessarily Aggressive

There’s confidence, and then there’s hostility. Arrogant people mistake aggression for strength, acting like every interaction is a battle they need to win. Whether it’s steamrolling conversations, talking down to people, or reacting defensively to even mild criticism, they constantly operate at a ten when the situation calls for a two.

It’s exhausting to be around because every conversation feels like a competition. Instead of being respected, they’re just avoided. No one likes feeling like they have to defend themselves in a casual discussion, and the more aggressive they are, the less people actually want to deal with them.

7. They Demand To Be The Center Of Attention

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Arrogant people don’t just like attention—they demand it. They can’t handle being in the background, so they insert themselves into every conversation, every event, every situation. If things aren’t revolving around them, they’ll find a way to shift the focus back to themselves.

The problem? People see right through it. The need to be the center of attention isn’t confidence—it’s insecurity. Real credibility doesn’t come from forcing people to notice you; it comes from being someone worth noticing.

8. They Act Like They “Discovered” Something Everyone Already Knows About

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They’ll explain a basic concept like they just uncovered a hidden truth. They’ll introduce you to something wildly mainstream and act like they’re putting you on to the next big thing. If they find a new hobby, you’ll hear about it nonstop as if they’re the first person in history to ever try it.

Arrogant people love feeling like they’re ahead of the curve, but in reality, they’re just stating the obvious with way too much confidence. Instead of coming across as knowledgeable, they just sound ridiculous. No one needs a TED Talk on things they already knew about five years ago.

9. They Insult You And Hide It Behind Jokes

Their humor isn’t playful—it’s mean-spirited, and when they get called out, they immediately say, “Relax, I’m just joking.” But if a joke only works when it’s at someone else’s expense, is it really a joke?

Arrogant people use humor as a weapon, making cutting remarks and then acting like you’re too sensitive if you don’t laugh. It’s not about being funny—it’s about making themselves feel superior. But the more they do it, the more people start seeing them for what they really are—bitter, insecure, and trying way too hard to disguise it.

10. They Tell Long-Winded Stories Where The Main Character Is Always Them

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No matter what’s being discussed, they’ll find a way to bring the story back to themselves. Their tales are long, exaggerated, and conveniently always make them look like a genius, a hero, or the most important person in the room.

The problem? No one actually cares. People enjoy engaging, balanced conversations, not endless monologues filled with self-promotion. Instead of impressing anyone, these stories just make people mentally check out, waiting for the moment they can politely escape.

11. They Genuinely Think They’re Better Than Other People

Arrogant people don’t just act superior—they truly believe they are. Whether it’s their job, their education, or even something as trivial as their taste in music, they walk around with the unshakable belief that they are on a different level than everyone else. And they don’t just think it—they make sure you know it.

It’s not confidence; it’s pure condescension. They dismiss opinions that don’t align with theirs, assume they have nothing to learn from anyone, and view themselves as the authority on everything. But the irony? Truly intelligent, accomplished people don’t need to act superior. They understand that everyone has something to offer, and that arrogance is just a mask for deep-seated insecurity.

12. They Brag About How “Humble” They Are

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Nothing says “I’m actually full of myself” quite like someone constantly telling you how humble they are. Arrogant people love to drop self-praising comments disguised as humility, like “I just don’t understand why people look up to me so much” or “I really don’t like talking about my accomplishments” as they proceed to list them in detail.

Real humility doesn’t require a speech. If someone is truly humble, it’s evident in their actions, not in their constant need to remind you. The more someone insists they’re modest, the more obvious it is that they’re fishing for admiration.

13. They Drop Buzzwords To Sound Smart Without Actually Saying Anything

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Arrogant people love to pepper their speech with industry jargon, trendy terminology, or complicated words, not because they add value, but because they think it makes them sound more intelligent. Instead of having meaningful conversations, they string together a bunch of buzzwords in a way that doesn’t actually mean anything.

They’ll throw out terms like “synergistic optimization” or “leveraging actionable insights” when a simple explanation would have done the job. The goal isn’t to educate—it’s to confuse, impress, and make others feel like they’re on a lower intellectual level. But the only thing it really does? Make them sound ridiculous. People who truly understand something don’t need to dress it up with nonsense.

14. They Act Personally Offended If Someone Doesn’t Know Who They Are

If an arrogant person introduces themselves and you don’t immediately recognize their name, their entire demeanor shifts. Instead of just moving on, they give you a shocked look, followed by some variation of “Wow, you’ve never heard of me?” as if they’re a household name and you’ve been living under a rock.

The assumption that their reputation should precede them is peak arrogance. They expect admiration on arrival, without doing anything to earn it. But true credibility isn’t based on whether or not someone recognizes you—it’s built on actual value, not just ego. And if they have to remind you how important they are, chances are, they’re really not.

Natasha is a seasoned lifestyle journalist and editor based in New York City. Originally from Sydney, during a a stellar two-decade career, she has reported on the latest lifestyle news and trends for major media brands including Elle and Grazia. Natasha now writes and directs content for Bolde Media, publishers of Bolde, Star Candy, Style Files, Psych Love and Earth Animals.