We all have that friend: the one who one-ups you in conversation every chance they get. Sometimes it’s a co-worker or family member, but what they all have in common is that anything you can do they can do categorically better.
Went to a Public Ivy for your undergrad? Oh, yeah, they applied to a handful of them but ultimately went with Harvard.
Going to the Amalfi Coast for your vacation next spring? Sweet! They went there with their spouse years ago, before it got super touristy. They can send you a list of recs if you want! (Everyone loves the list. They’ve forwarded it like 50 times.)
If this article were a medical malpractice ad, this is the point where we’d say: “If you or a loved one has had prolonged interaction with a one-upper, you may be entitled to financial compensation...”
Jokes aside, one-uppers ― people who listen to you tell a story and immediately try to do you one better (or try to do you one worse, if you shared something sad) ― are some of the least pleasant people to talk to.
