Attention Whore Techniques

Posted byPeri KinderPosted inUncategorizedTags:, , , , ,

attention

We’ve all been in settings when one person dominates the conversation. You could be in the middle of delivering a eulogy, or a child, and attention whores will still steal your spotlight. Short of manslaughter, there are not many ways to stop them. They live in a world of their own. These people include:

The Explainer: This person thinks everyone around him has the IQ of a legume. Therefore, it is his responsibility to explain, in excruciating detail, what is happening. “In case you’ve never heard the term ‘thermometer,’ it is a device that measures temperature.” Or “Let me explain the situation in Libya in terms you can understand. Blah, blah, blah. Breath. Blah, blah, blah, etc.”

The Interrupter: You’re in the middle of a great story when, from out of nowhere, The Interrupter pipes in–guessing the end of your story, or changing the subject altogether. Most Interrupters are murdered before they turn 45.

photo bomb

(Typical Interrupter behavior.)

The Redundant: This person is also called The Echo, The Superfluous, The Back-Up, or The Repetitive. The Redundant has several irritating behaviors which include a) exactly repeating what has already been said, b) repeating what has been said in a different way, c) echoing the last few words that were said. Example:

First person: I think this must be the hottest day of the year.

The Redundant: It sure seems like it’s the hottest day of the year.

First person: I could use a cold drink.

The Redundant: I think drinks are in order!

First person: Are you a professional echo?

The Redundant: Echo . . .

The Irritated: Not only does The Irritated have NO TIME for your conversation, she goes out of her way to let you know her time is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than yours. Irritated tendencies include finger drumming, toe tapping, knee bouncing, a pursed expression and playing on her phone while you’re explaining how sad you are your dog died.  They’re not listening. Leave.

The One-Upper: You just climbed Mount Everest. But The One-Upper climbed Mount Everest in the off-season, carrying his sherpa up the hill even after losing three fingers to frostbite. Or. You received a job offer from Apple that will double your salary. Too bad, because The One-Upper now operates Apple. You just can’t win. Stop trying.

knife 2(“You call that a knife?” Typical One-Upper.)

The best way to deal with  attention whores is to walk in the other direction. They won’t realize you’re gone until they need someone to refill their coffee.

12 thoughts on “Attention Whore Techniques”

  1. I have Autism. Some of these “attention whore” behaviors are autistic symptoms – albeit the one-upping. I’m only saying this to point out there’s more than one cause to behaviors.
    .
    I explain, ramble, repeat, rock back and forth, and unintentionally interrupt. I’m glad I read this, though. It helps me be more aware of how I come off to people.

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  2. thing is the real attention whores are going on about how everyone else in the world is an attention whore.

    like “these people are stealing my show!”

    eg: your blog entry.

    get over it.

    i’m full of ink and piercings.. i’m mixed race, tall and got weird hair but that’s how it is. i don’t give a crap if anyone likes it, looks at it or has something to complain about it.

    but you go on right ahead with your tiny little labels and bandwidth wasting blog.

    …. attention whore. *cough*

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    1. Didn’t mean to insult you at all! The blog was about behavior, not appearance. I posted the photo because I thought it was funny. Tattoos, piercings, weird hair–it’s all good!

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  3. Haha, this is hilarious! I am unfortunately the explainer, and most of my friends just interrupt me at this point 😛 It keeps the flow of our conversations going; me being an obnoxious know-it-all, and my friends rudely interrupting all I say.

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  5. Two things here. One: I’m probably The Eavesdropper, but did I hear your dog died? If so, sorry. If not, I should mind my own business. Two: Ironic is the message of that first picture combined with the fact that it REALLY grabs my attention.

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