Why do people exaggerate?

I like this discussion because enjoying watching people as they talk is one of my involuntary reactions. I always find it entertaining how people exaggerate things with words and gestures as they speak. Well the primary reason must be that these people want to paint a picture of themselves as a very interesting persons to listen to and very lovable adept with the art of narration not realizing that the people listening to them often are looking for a chance to scoot and never to face them again. Exaggeration of anything is nothing but narcissism.

People mostly exaggerate because the simple truth can be at times boring. They want to spice things up a bit by adding a few more details just to liven things up a bit. When people get that way with me, I just smile and keep saying yes, and keep nodding while inside my head I know that not all of it is true.

Hi Kala! What a fantastic topic and post!! I also wonder why some people exaggerate. In fact I have 2-3 very good close friends, whom I see exaggerating every time they narrate some event or happening. They would make the description of an event in such a manner that you will get attracted towards them and if by the way if they happen to be on the receiving end or the victum, you will immediately start sympathizing with them. I am not an exception, if I have to settle some scores with someone in office (who has done wrong to me), I highlight his mistakes to the super boss and make him believe that the person actually did very wrong (Pl. do not laugh or scold me on my confession.... ). However, I use the exaggeration thing when I feel it is necessary to use. I think those who exaggerate want to draw others' attention towards them and may be some sympathy from others.

people who always exaggerate any fact Is that an exaggeration? Seriously, use of certain words such as "always" is an exaggeration in itself. But yes, some people do exaggerate a lot, and you're right, after a while you just tend to roll your eyes, think "whatever" and forget about what they said. If everything (there's another word to avoid lol) is always an exaggeration, it's kind of like the boy who cried wolf...

Well I guess they do it for gaining interest or attention to what they are discussion..Like my Kid brother has this habit of exaggerating every little story he says..Its interesting to hear those from him because we know its not true but he loves the fact when we enjoy what he is saying..When grown ups do it they are just forced by their bad habit and I have learned to ignore this people who embellish without thinking about the consequences..Real bad rumours spread from such lies and it hurts to hear something like that..May be its their way of feeling powerful or all important..

Hello kalav yes even i have seen that there are many people who will just exaggerate their facts may it be any silly thing to be told to, they will just make it so much surpirsing adding a pun to it, that i get irritated when i actually know what the exact fact is. The example i got is my sister for this thing, she will just make a smallest thing such a big issue that everyone will be cared of, i call such people as attention seekers, they do it only for this purpose as far as i know.

They sometimes do it to make them self look good. I was just asking myself this same question recently. I know two people who is always exaggerating. I don't believe 90% of the things they said. I have to see proof before I believe. My friends are usually talking about how well they did something or their kids did. After awhile, it comes out they add a substantial amount to the story.

Some do it because they are insecure and want to draw attention to themselves, but others I think do it just out of natural embulience. It is like the joke about the size of fish that a fisherman caught. Of course, sale people do it to try to sell something.

Hi dear, I do, but an innocent way to make my kids happy. My younger one is not easily stops his cries when fight with his brother. I have to say something like about a dog (he is fond of dog)s so usually I am explaining something so it will become a colorful story. But this is only for my kids …. Otherwise I am not at all smart in this field. I have a colleague who is doing the same always… he can say the same in a simple sentence but will take half an hour explaining so many things and adding his own stories… Happy Dushera and have a great weekend.

My guess is that, although everyone may have done it every now and again, some people are really adept at exaggerating everything! My daughter’s dance teacher is like that; you can guarantee that although he may not necessarily be lying he will be sure to embellish a story to make himself look better. It is a way for some people with low self esteem to make themselves feel more worthy by coming across smarter, more interesting etc.

I really think that people love to exagerate the fact, just because they wanna be the best , i mean that they wanna make others to be amaised about what they did or some of their friends . In that way , the person that`s telling the story , it`s winning something like respect or just the attention of the one that`s listening the story . They wanna be always in the front, and they want to make others to listen them every time .

Hi Kalav, I think for some people, it's a matter of self esteem. When they do not have as much as other people in certain areas, they make up by exaggerating in other areas. For some persons from sales profession, it's a matter of training. That's how the sub-prime crisis caught many people. They bought the toxic products because the sales persons from the banks or investment companies told them the products are "perfectly safe". The fact is that in investment, nothing is safe, not even the so-called risk-free government bonds. I think exaggeration in sales persons is a costly and dangerous habit to the society.

I have some family members that exaggerate and I think they do it so they can be the center of attention. There are times that I know they are exaggerating but I usually just let them talk because I am sure that most of the other people that are listening already know that he or she is exaggerating. I do not want to embarass that family member so I figure it is better for me to keep quite.

I usually exaggerate to state the obvious. I also use it to be sarcastic. Of course funny stories aren't funny by themselves if the story teller does not make SOME exaggerations. That is why people exaggerate when telling stories.

ya,i have also seen people exxagerating,i think they are insecure people,they tthink they wont be accepted by their friends unless they brag.but i would say such friends are fair weather or false who donot like the reality,so some people show off.

I have known people who exaggerate to the point I'm almost laughing. We have a neighbor who does this and has since I've known her. I think it's done for attention because anything totally bizarre can be an interesting conversation. Atleast the person doing the exaggerating thinks this type of behavior makes a good conversation. I handle it by simply listening. Will wait for an opening and then make every attempt to change the subject without being totally rude. It generally works very well.

kalav56 hi I have known some people who exaggerate and I always' thought this was called oneupsmanship, sort of like from an old'song, anything you can do , I can do better, I can do anything better than you. endof quote. my p oint is that maybe they actually feel insecure so they add and embellish the truth so that if their moms were listening they wouldnt recognize their own young people at all.When you are with a person like this, you get lost if you tell them about something you did accomplish and are proud of.they will always have done more and won more prizes, and got more acclaim than you ever did so you just fold your tent and steal away. you cannot outdo them so dont even try.

Hi Kalav56, i never really take any notice in what people say as they can be very hurtful, when I was younger I used to go to a quiet place and cry but then i just toughened up and not listen to them, also I used to hear people spered gossip which don't take any notice because it always ends up in a bigh lie. Tamara

HI kalav I am guilty of this. I do exaggerate my stories to make it more humorous and appealing. And it helps because most people that I share my stories to will really laugh and tell me that I made their day. I don't really twist the facts too much, I just exaggerate the facial expressions, or the dialogues of the funny situations that I have witnessed.

there are many reasosn to why peoeple exxagerate about things... main reaosn behing all the exxagerations are to get attention from otheres... they might wanto get attentions f others so that they can turn things against some one or in favour of some one they like... some people have the natural tendency to axxagerate what ever they say ...at the same time some people exxagerate things purposefully...