Dear Ashley:

What I figure is this: it is very common for people to lack self confidence, to question their worth, to compare themselves to others. I used to be and do these things.

When you present yourself to others the way you did in your original post: “I am a very highly accomplished person.. I’m educated to the postdoc level, I’ve lived in 5 countries… I am a very confident person”-

– that is suitable to a work resume or an application to a professional role, maybe, but it is not suitable in the context of other social interactions, it simply reads arrogant and it irks all the people who feel less than “very confident”.

My answer to your question: “Am I Condescending or Are They Insecure?”- is both, not one or the other.

Interestingly, there is an area for you to improve- social skills: present yourself with some humility so to not irk people.

anita