Pathetic HA
Written by Expat on November 28, 2007 [1]
The focus on one's hidden agenda (better known as the mobilizing function) is also manifested in a "patting yourself on the back" way, when you are reassuring others that you are actually good in doing something, but it's painfully obvious to others that you are above all reassuring yourself and not doing a good job at it - and by doing that, you end up behaving in a pathetic way.
So:
: behavior aimed at showing how popular and liked by the crowd you are, but that is actually making you look like an ass.
: unshakeable and stubborn defense of ideas and beliefs against all opposition, with unwillingness to even discuss the possibility of their not being correct
: unshakeable and stubborn unwillingness to compromise on personal behavior and principles against all opposition in a social situation
: behavior aimed at showing how competent you are in handling practical and financial affairs, or in how much knowledge in a particular subject you have, but painfully focusing on non-essentials to the point made
: unshakeable belief that you know exactly what is going to happen in your life in a given situation, or precipitated action since you know that "now is the time to act", but ending up shooting your own foot in both cases
: behavior aimed at showing how successful, rich, or physically strong and brave and confrontational you are, when others can see you're none of them
: showing off how wiser you are than others in taking care of your health by good food and avoiding personal risks, but making you look like a paranoid pussy-wimp. Also, an essentially unphysical person trying to show off how they master daily details in administration, maintainance, housekeeping, etc
: behavior aiming at showing how original and creative you can be, but making too much out of obvious and trivial ideas.
So if you see someone behaving in a pathetic way, just remember -- on other occasions, it's you doing it.