How do I deal with know-it-alls?

Question

My husband and I are friends with another married couple. The husbands work together on their own business so that leaves me to hang out with his wife. Big problem- she is a know it all. I can't say anything with out her correcting me, criticizing me, or just having an answer for EVERYTHING. I am getting really sick of it, how can I handle this situation?

Answer 1

Don't pay any attention... maybe. Or just learn more.

:-/

Answer 2

Read up and then discuss Proctology! We'll see what she knows~!

Answer 3

OMG i totally hate that!!! what i would do is not to show that person that im someone low, so i just ignore it. Don't let it get to you because if you show her that it's bothering you she'll just love it even more. so you should  just continue on talking and if she butts in or tries to correct you, let her words go through one ear out the other.. your brave enough to not be stepped on and NEVER allow that to happen to you. mwahz :D

Why the h**l does she criticize you????????? okay being criticized is something i wouldn't ignore lol. il just ask her straight up "WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM WITH ME?" and if she says nothing then say what bothers you and see if she has an answer for that. she'll eventually give you the apology that you need :)  

Answer 4

That drives me crazy when people are like that.  I have not found any good way to deal with it.  It seems like no matter what you do, they still keep going. lol.  I have come to just let it go in one ear and out the other, after awhile I guess you come to expect it but it is still annoying when you stop to think about it.  You kind of just have to limit the time you spend with her.  I know that is not always easy to do depending on the situation.  Either that or  you have to find something that you know everything about and hope she knows nothing and continually talk about it so she can't correct you. lol. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Perhaps you could stump her with some of your personal expertise?

Ask her nicely to please stop correcting you. If she is an adult, she will stop. If that doesn't work, give her the cold-shoulder and don't pay any attention to her corrective actions because that's probably what she wants -- attention. If that doesn't work still, then just don't hang out with her anymore. She learn eventually that people don't like her nagging and nit-picking when she's alone.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Make yourself scarce around her.  I can't stand people like her; they are so annoying, and I just learned it's better to stay away from them.  I know the husbands work together, but there is only so much you can take.

Answer 7

Either stop hanging out with them or talk about your areas of expertise so you can make her feel dumb. You could also tell her she's a know it all, maybe she'll check herself.

Answer 8

I try not to be, but I'm afraid I sometimes act like a know-it-all.  I think it comes from being insecure and wanting people to like you because, well, I know it all.  It's not about you, it's about her insecurity.

If the husbands are fast friends and you have to deal with her, first I would try to minimize the time you spend with them.  If that doesn't work, try humoring her.  

My sisters are great this way, very flexible and open to listening to me blather on about whatever book I've been reading.  I can't tell you how grateful I am to them for letting me be me.  You might end up with a very good friend if you choose to look at the situation in a different light.  And then again maybe you don't really have to be around her very much at all.

Answer 9

These people are actually very insecure and do this to mask those insecurities.  The best way to handle is to ignore each time that she does it to you.  Silence is a very large weapon and sends the point clearly.  So the next time she goes to correct you or criticize you look away and say nothing.  She will get the hint and come around.

Best of luck to you

Answer 10

I HATE people like that! Don't suffer in silence, speak up! Next time she criticizes you just tell her off straight up! Chances are, she'll go back and complain to her husband and if he says anything to your husband just let him know that she was becoming a pain in the ***.

If you don't bring this up to her attention, then you'll just have to keep on suffering ... you don't really have many options here.  

Answer 11

wow....i had to deal with the same problem.u know what i did?

i never reacted or tried to correct her.i just smile and keep quiet.i neither do accept what she says or refutes what she said.one time when she was rude..i just took a long stare at her and smiled.she felt weird and asked me why i did that.i said"do u need to know?"when she said yes i was assertive not rude and told her i don't feel comfortable handling the criticism she gives me.when u say it do it with a smile.important thing..deal with her when she is alone.we don;t need her friends or anyone supportive of her aroiund u guys.it works!!good luck!

Answer 12

Well, if you are wrong in the things you say and do that she corrects you on, then I'd say that you should not do or say anything around her that is wrong. Otherwise, tell her that you appreciate her input but you'd like it more if she gave you less of it.

Answer 13

If she corrects you, stand up for yourself and say "I don't need to be corrected." She will have much more respect for you and then maybe you two will get along.  

Answer 14

Avoid her!

Answer 15

Lower your expectations for the evening and go prepared with a list of topics to introduce into the conversation for her to expound upon.  Then sit back and tune out, nod occasionally and smile.  Then make your husband stop on the way home and buy you an ice cream.

Answer 16

I feel your pain.  My boyfriend has a friend, (we all work together sometimes), who is like this too.  She made me crazy at the time, and sometimes still does.  He and I went through some not so fun arguments about her.  

Short of spending less time with her, (this was my choice), you might just have to change your reaction to her, since she won't change hers.  When I am confronted with my know it all, I usually keep my conversation short.  Sometimes she gets it.  Sometimes I say, I know, or just thanks and move on.  

One day I dream of telling her how I feel about her, but understand it would be opening a whole can of worms I am not ready for!

Good luck!

Answer 17

Only God knows it All!!!

Answer 18

Just simply ask her "Can we just have a polite conversation without all the criticism please? I don't care for how you constantly "belittle" me".  Point out that you are friends merely because their husbands work together and that you are quite capable of just hanging out with your real friends from now on.  Let her know that you understand that maybe you don't always say the right things, but that no one likes a "Know-it all". Look her straight in the eyes for 10 seconds, if she has no comment (like an apology or simply agreeing to your terms) just walk away and have no more conversations with her. You can simply explain later to your husband what has been occurring and why you chose your actions.

Good luck!

Answer 19

There's a good chance she doesn't realize she's doing it.  Try making a joke out of it to bring it to her attention.  For example the next time she jumps in with a correction or a critical remark try to point it out in a joking matter.  For example if she corrects your grammar, try, "Wow, having you around is better than getting out the dictionary," with lots of smiles and a chuckle.  Sure it's a bit sarcastic, but if you can find a way to point it out indirectly with a laugh, after a couple of mentions she'll get the hint.  

Answer 20

copy, and print this question, then pull her to the side and give it to her right before the next time you all go out

Answer 21

ignore them don't indulge them, they usually end up making an a$$ of themselves