Lets have a look at the respective definitions on my computer's dictionary:
CONFIDENCE
A feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.
ARROGANCE
Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.
OK. I see. So, lets see if I can summarise that lot.
A confident person doesn't have to tell everyone that they are good. They just know.
An arrogant person has to tell everyone.
Is that clear?
Of course there are other ways to tell the difference between the arrogant and confident people.
1. An arrogant person will have an obvious superiority or inferiority complex over people. The arrogance is usually a facade. They do feel inferior to other people and so they will act or arrogant to cover this inferiority.
A confident person however, doesn't feel the need to show that he is superior to anyone else. He or she knows that they are a great catch and he doesn't have to announce it to everyone. He or she would no doubt dominate the room with their presence but wouldn't rub it in other people's faces.
2. Another difference is how arrogant and confident people treat other people. An arrogant person thinks they are better than anyone else and they will only talk to people they perceive to be on the same level as them and anyone below that level with be kicked to the sidewalk because the arrogant person doesn't have time to listen to anyone else.
A confident person will listen to anybody and will encourage them to speak up and may even give them advice if they feel that the occasion requires it.
3. Self-confident people are aware of their shortcomings and weaknesses and are trying to improve them each and every day.
An arrogant person will not admit that he or she has any weaknesses and tries to keep that perfect image for all to see. Unfortunately he or she is not fooling anyone. most people can see that arrogant person has weaknesses and his or her denial is making them look even more foolish in the eyes of the people around them.
4. A conversation with an arrogant person can be very tedious. They are always trying to get one over you and won't like your thoughts and ideas one iota.
A confident person won't try to force their ideas and opinions on the listener unless they are asked and then if they are asked they won't ram it down the other person's throat. They will speak their peace and carry on.
5. Have you ever been at a bar or an event and you were talking to someone who didn't seem to care what you were talking about and was constantly scanning the room looking for someone else to talk to? Infuriating, right? That is a great sign of arrogance.
The best people in the room are the ones who are you think that you are the only ones in the world. Apparently, Bill Clinton is great at that. It is all about eye contact.
6. An arrogant person is trying to be some that they are not. They are probably uncomfortable around the people nearby so they are trying to win over the crowd with bravado and it doesn't work. They are trying to avoid criticism and that is not good.
A confident guy or woman is positive, optimistic and they are tackling the difficulties of life head on.
At the end of the day, you are a confident person. That is great but you don't need to rub other people's noses into it. That makes you an arrogant person and no one likes them, maybe except the arrogant person him or herself.
No comments:
Post a Comment