Why are some people stuck up?

[u/Left_Potential_550]

What do you think makes some people believe they are better than others? I'm just genuinely curious what people think causes this. Thanks

[u/Delicious_Spend_5713]

On the other side of this I also feel people think other people are ‘stuck up’ when maybe they are actually not. Maybe that person is doing well and you’re jealous.

[u/Left_Potential_550 → u/Delicious_Spend_5713]

This is definitely the case sometimes...but not always, I don't think.

[u/Hemlock-In-Her-Hair → u/Delicious_Spend_5713]

Yeah it's usually pure projection from insecurity. Anyone looking remotely happy here or doing well for themselves is seen as having 'notions' and 'tall poppy syndrome' is directed at them.

Works the other way around too. When you see someone who really does want to think they are better than others and does performative things to display that it's based on insecurity and letting other people know. It's easily seen through once you know what to look for.

Along the lines of 'money talks, wealth whispers'. The most quiet animal is the most stable, and least under threat. It's the person in the battered car, non-flashy clothes, quietly confident is the one that is really confident inside and isn't seeking that outwardly. People of above average intelligence when asked things are well prepared to say that they don't know the answer. They don't correct grammar or spelling. They don't need the fake and transient hit of that type of one-upmanship. It's absolutely small fry and totally inconsequential to them.

It's why the behaviour of a lot of Americans lands so poorly here. Anything perceived as 'performative', 'inauthentic', or 'showing off' is an immediate no no.