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How to handle people minimizing my property and success?
Quick case study, input please: I live in a very large city. I own a building in smaller city. I usually don't tell people that, but then again it's a major part of what I do for business so I can't keep it a complete secret.
I notice that when a guy in my social circle finds out about my building, he either does one of two things. He tries to denigrate my property by implying that it can't be worth much because it's in a smaller city than the city I live in.
OR
Other guys will immediately say: "Oh, so you own student housing." It's not student housing. It's a modern luxury building designed by a well known architect. Students can't afford it.
I assume both of the above reactions are fueled by jealousy. After all, everyone always immediately tries to make it seem like less than it is. No one has ever made it seem like more than it is.
How do I deal with these guys when they try to "downgrade" my property?
Easy.
- Ask them for what specifically makes the property "student housing," then go a bit on the offensive
"Oh so you own student housing?"
"What makes you think that?"
"because it's in a smaller city, blah blah blah"
"Well, [enter counter points here, and then maybe compare with their property]"
- Re-interpret it
"Oh so you own student housing?"
"Sure, rich international students really like my place"
Thanks JP. Who else can weigh in on this?
Ed,
I resized your post to normal-size fonts.
If you always write in bigger fonts, it makes you come across like you're trying to yell.
Now about the topic: I like JP's second reframing a lot.
I might add a bit of a twist, like:
You: yeah, it's not exactly a student dorm, but some wealthier international students do live there
You can even add "not all students can afford it though, it's not a cheap place".
Very matter of factly, like you're not ashamed of wealth or calling things as they are. You want to be very neutral when you say it, so you don't show that their comments are getting to you.
P.S.: You gotta shake your head at those jealous friends
That attitude is both unfriendly as it is stupid.
They could build you up and make a friend, and instead, they let their petty jealousy drag them down.
I would advise you to take that attitude as a red flag: not the type of people you want to elect as your core social circle friends.
