Why people try to outshine you

People do it for attention, and it makes them feel better about themselves that they're 'winning'. It's just a substitute for actual achievement.

I'm mixed on this one...

In the example the OP gave, really BOTH people were bragging. So I cannot cry foul on either one. Plus the second person had already made his purchase, so he would have had the PS3 & gloves whatever, even if the first person had said nothing.

And if one person does start bragging, there's no rule that says "no one else is allowed to out brag me"

I agree with somerandomperson. When people brag even when you think they have no place to, instead of pointing out how they are wrong or I am better, I feel it is better to let time tell. In the end, you may argue or convince others that your collge is better but we'll see who gets the better internships and jobs in a few years. Whenever I've ever caught myself bragging, I've stopped myself. I feel cheap and ask myself why I feel the need to prove myself I others. It's best to be as humble as you can.

Hate that

Well, when people try to outshine me. I let them be and rejoice over their 'success' but then I crush their success by completely outshining them after awhile. It's funny to me.

Let them do it. People who never one-up anyone are always at the top of chain - take a look at Donald Trump. Everyone else are better off losing everything.

This is very normal I'm afraid, particularly with boys. I'm 30 year-old and I hang out with some colleagues around my age who still compare mobile phones and price packages. It's absolutely ridiculous and I know that. My family friends compete about which school their son goes to and what grades they got, they also talk about which countries they have visited and they show off about it.

People like that are very annoying but the only thing you can do is to simply ignore them. Find others who are not like that and you will find that they are going to be your friends for life :-)

It's just a strange attention-seeking thing with some people. I'd try to get new friends because 1.) It's very annoying to try to have a conversation with someone like that and 2.) They're sad and pathetic to do that in the first place.

I don't have any friends like that; all my friends are cool and keep it real. Seriously, you should get new friends.

I have a friend like that, well kind of friend I don't like her that much but she likes me, it's annoying. They do it to seem superior and dominant.

It is what we all do, and it is annoying. I had it pointed out to me that i did that, and i stopped, now im a more enjoyable person to be around. it really is annoying i agree lol.

i kinda hated myself for doing that, so i stopped, just point it out to people. if they cant handle the truth, then they can bugger off. they arent real friends.

i didnt know what to write so i just copyed someone elses message here you go :P Yes. The one-upmanship. The idea and credit stealers. The know-it-alls. Respondents above have pegged it. Still, it drives me nuts.

Yes. The one-upmanship. The idea and credit stealers. The know-it-alls. Respondents above have pegged it. Still, it drives me nuts.

I have noticed this too, but the weird thing is that these people seem to think that if you don't boast then you don't have anything to boast about.

Yeah mostly people do it for attention. They want people to think they're better than everybody else because they are insecure. Or they are really competitive.

We all end up in a tie at the finish line (when we die). You might call it a dead heat.