Mw99 wrote:
Is condescension a subconscious process? Or is their lying more condescension?
I think it is for the most part subconscious and then when you point that out to them, they deny it because they don't want to be seen as belittling you. I don't think most people do it on purpose. I think they don't or can't believe they are being condescending. It's an admission of a failing and not many people with egos like to admit failings. And most people who are condescending have egos.
KimJ wrote:
There are several facets of condescension.
a)there's feeling righteous, where the other person is so obviously wrong/pathetic/evil that patronizing, being sarcastic or using veiled insults is A-ok.
b)there's feeling of objectification, where you're really doing better than the other person and just want to help. . .
c)there's a divide in the communication where you're not being condescending but don't have a handle on where the other person "is". So, you may talk in a simple manner and offend them unintentionally.
d)the other person is so insecure that they hear condescension, especially if you use "big words".
Actually I am pretty sure that I do a bit of b and a lot of c. As a result I get peoples back's up a lot and get called arrogant. But my intention is not to be condescending just to keep things as simple as possible until the other person lets me know that their knowledge is more advanced than that.