How do I handle this guy at work?

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Sugarcube Battery 14 Jul @ 2:19pm

There’s this guy at work who prides himself on being knowledgeable about things like horror movies, video games, music, etc. And to be fair, there’s nothing wrong with that. I love those things too. But I’ve learned to keep quiet about my hobbies at work because, let’s be real, not everyone cares.

The issue is, most of our colleagues aren’t into those topics, so they don’t know enough to push back when he starts talking. And this guy thinks he knows way more than he actually does. For example, when he talks about horror movies, he’ll casually spoil the twist or ending first like WTF. That itself honestly should be a crime. Then sometimes, he just starts making stuff up. It’s obvious to me that he hasn’t even watched half the things he talks about. He probably skimmed a plot summary and is just parroting it back to sound impressive. Most people don’t know because they haven’t seen these movies but I do!!!!

He talks about certain games like he’s played them but it’s clear to me that he hasn’t. And yet to some people, he seems cool because he “knows so much.” But he’s a fraud. And what’s worse is that he genuinely acts like he’s smarter or better than the rest of us.

Now you might be wondering, “OP, why do you care?” Honestly, I didn’t at first. But it’s gotten to the point where this is a daily thing now. I think getting away with it made him bolder, like he’s built his whole work persona around this fake expertise. One small annoying behavior repeated every day adds up fast. And what’s worse is feeling like I can’t call it out without looking petty, not that he ever lets anyone interrupt him anyway, especially me.

I wish I didn’t know as much as I do, because then I wouldn’t have to sit there silently while he completely misrepresents everything.

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Showing 1-15 of 106 comments

Chaosolous 14 Jul @ 2:20pm

Just politely tell him that everyone thinks he's a liar, then walk away.

milliardo 14 Jul @ 2:22pm

Not worth the effort or any situation it might create at work.

Sugarcube Battery 14 Jul @ 2:23pm

Originally posted by milliardo:
Not worth the effort or any situation it might create at work.

True tbh

I just endure this nonsense.

-OrLoK- Слава Україн 14 Jul @ 2:24pm

Try frequenting this forum. That'll make your guy at work seem like an all-knowing omnipresent godhead..

Angel 14 Jul @ 2:26pm

Reminds me of a guy I know (but another topic).

I just played ignorant and told him I didn't know nor cared much about that topic and the person just went onto someone else who cared more. And when that failed, I just excused myself to do something else. Lay low and they will target someone else.

Sugarcube Battery 14 Jul @ 2:30pm

Originally posted by Angel:
Reminds me of a guy I know (but another topic).

I just played ignorant and told him I didn't know nor cared much about that topic and the person just went onto someone else who cared more. And when that failed, I just excused myself to do something else. Lay low and they will target someone else.

Nah, he doesn’t talk to me directly. At least not anymore because he can tell I know my stuff. He talks to others when we hang out as a group. Whenever I meet someone who’s into the same things I am, I get excited because it’s a chance to actually discuss. But with him, it’s different. He seems to prefer talking to people who know less about the topic. He doesn’t want a real conversation. He just wants an audience. It’s about feeling superior.

milliardo 14 Jul @ 2:33pm

Originally posted by Sugarcube Battery:
Originally posted by Angel:
Reminds me of a guy I know (but another topic).

I just played ignorant and told him I didn't know nor cared much about that topic and the person just went onto someone else who cared more. And when that failed, I just excused myself to do something else. Lay low and they will target someone else.

Nah, he doesn’t talk to me directly. At least not anymore because he can tell I know my stuff. He talks to others when we hang out as a group. Whenever I meet someone who’s into the same things I am, I get excited because it’s a chance to actually discuss. But with him, it’s different. He seems to prefer talking to people who know less about the topic. He doesn’t want a real conversation. He just wants an audience. It’s about feeling superior.

Just tell him you are trying to focus on your work and that he is distracting you.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆Prinny☆ 14 Jul @ 2:34pm

"how can i start workplace drama because i have a petty issue with my coworker?"
have you tried just... doing your job instead? :V

Sugarcube Battery 14 Jul @ 2:35pm

Originally posted by milliardo:
Originally posted by Sugarcube Battery:

Nah, he doesn’t talk to me directly. At least not anymore because he can tell I know my stuff. He talks to others when we hang out as a group. Whenever I meet someone who’s into the same things I am, I get excited because it’s a chance to actually discuss. But with him, it’s different. He seems to prefer talking to people who know less about the topic. He doesn’t want a real conversation. He just wants an audience. It’s about feeling superior.
Just tell him you are trying to focus on your work and that he is distracting you.

Originally posted by *ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆Prinny☆:
"how can i start workplace drama because i have a petty issue with my coworker?"
have you tried just... doing your job instead? :V

Emphasis on this happens during group hangouts and while we are on break.

milliardo 14 Jul @ 2:39pm

Originally posted by Sugarcube Battery:
Originally posted by milliardo:
Just tell him you are trying to focus on your work and that he is distracting you.

Originally posted by *ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆Prinny☆:
"how can i start workplace drama because i have a petty issue with my coworker?"
have you tried just... doing your job instead? :V

Emphasis on this happens during group hangouts and while we are on break.

Seduce him and when he thinks he's about to score, tell him he can't have none until he stops lying.

#10

Angel 14 Jul @ 2:41pm

You could try redirecting the conversation to someone else. Just pick someone else and talk to them about a totally different topic. It gets tricky if you do have an attention seeker I.e. they tend to be loud.

#11

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆Prinny☆ 14 Jul @ 2:42pm

Originally posted by Sugarcube Battery:
Emphasis on this happens during group hangouts and while we are on break.

it's still workplace drama and you should just do your job, instead :V

Nah, he doesn’t talk to me directly

then count your blessings and move on.
i mean what do you think an actual solution to this could possibly be? how far are you willing to go?

#12

xDDD 14 Jul @ 2:44pm

Honestly if it's THAT bad then just let it happen. Eventually the boss will get sick of it and say something, or they'll come up with an excuse to fire him.

#13

IGX 14 Jul @ 2:45pm

Originally posted by Sugarcube Battery:
There’s this guy at work who prides himself on being knowledgeable about things like horror movies, video games, music, etc. And to be fair, there’s nothing wrong with that. I love those things too. But I’ve learned to keep quiet about my hobbies at work because, let’s be real, not everyone cares.

The issue is, most of our colleagues aren’t into those topics, so they don’t know enough to push back when he starts talking. And this guy thinks he knows way more than he actually does. For example, when he talks about horror movies, he’ll casually spoil the twist or ending first like WTF. That itself honestly should be a crime. Then sometimes, he just starts making stuff up. It’s obvious to me that he hasn’t even watched half the things he talks about. He probably skimmed a plot summary and is just parroting it back to sound impressive. Most people don’t know because they haven’t seen these movies but I do!!!!

He talks about certain games like he’s played them but it’s clear to me that he hasn’t. And yet to some people, he seems cool because he “knows so much.” But he’s a fraud. And what’s worse is that he genuinely acts like he’s smarter or better than the rest of us.

Now you might be wondering, “OP, why do you care?” Honestly, I didn’t at first. But it’s gotten to the point where this is a daily thing now. I think getting away with it made him bolder, like he’s built his whole work persona around this fake expertise. One small annoying behavior repeated every day adds up fast. And what’s worse is feeling like I can’t call it out without looking petty, not that he ever lets anyone interrupt him anyway, especially me.

I wish I didn’t know as much as I do, because then I wouldn’t have to sit there silently while he completely misrepresents everything.

Skip the hangout when someone asks, just say the dude is droning on and you got bored.

Last edited by IGX; 14 Jul @ 2:46pm

#14