Rank: Level 12: Royalty
Groups: Fans of England
Joined: 1/3/2008
Posts: 164
Points: 10
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Apparently it is used to be very un-British to boast. However nowadays it is becoming increasingly neccessary to boast about oneself in order to 'survive in the workplace' - according to a recent report by Lucy Kellaway. The contestants of The Apprentice could certainly teach us a thing or two about boasting as most of them are in my opinion complete professionals at the art of 'boasting'. What do you all think about it - is it a neccessary or just boring for those who have to listen to it! 
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Rank: Level 8: Debutante
Groups: Fans of England
Joined: 4/18/2008
Posts: 43
Points: -65
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Hello Katie. I give you the example of Al Jolson - thought by many to be a raving egomaniac, boasting about himself all the time. According to Larry Adler however, he did not boast at all. He simply stated fact. He said he was The World's Greatest Entertainer, and he was. He did NOT say that this made him better than a doctor, soldier, lawyer, anything else. We all boast every time we do anything, for why do we presume anyone should take any notice?
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Rank: Level 10: Literary Genius
Groups: Fans of England
Joined: 1/17/2008
Posts: 71
Points: 213
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Good point Varangarian. There are some people though who one cannot help 'listening' to even if you don't particulary want to!!
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Rank: Level 10: Literary Genius
Groups: Fans of England
Joined: 1/3/2008
Posts: 87
Points: 261
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I think a little 'discreet' (if possible?) boasting is OK if you need to tell others about things you've achieved. Sometimes I like to hear about people's achievements, especially if I might be able to learn something from them. Boasting crosses the line between being OK and wrong when you start trying to belittle others in comparison... unless it's all done in jest of course, and you know the other person can handle it
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