I don't want to brag but...

People like to be proud of their achievement.But they feel wary because a personal achievement of another person is always a matter of non interest and boring to another for obvious reasons.So they they try to drive the nail very slowly with these words.Whatever said and done bragging is bragging only.I have used this 'I don't want to brag' stuff a couple of times myself.

oh yes... i had heard people say these words before... and even though they say that they did not mean to brag, but they are in fact actually bragging... that's why i try not to say these words at all... i don't like to boast and there is nothing that i can really boast about myself anyway... take care and have a nice day...

Hahaha... I know what you mean. I have been there Sisi. This surprises me for I think I am very humble, down-to-earth kind (now that is a bragging...lol...) but at times when I do find myself bragging and go about with a sentence like that. And guess what, I am left dumbstruck afterwards on pondering. 'Was it me really..." It's indeed funny. Many times we think we are saints and point fingers to others but we succumb to same! I think that makes us human!

The funny thing is that the minute they start with this phrase they're bragging already! lol. I haven't used that one verbatim but the equivalents are: "Forgive me for sounding like a big head....." and "I know I'm not perfect but....." I reckon that if we do something extraordinary once in a while then we've earned the right to be a little boastful so I say go for it! As long as we are not arrogant or demeaning in the way we go about it then who cares?

Hahaha, I think it's funny when people say that. They're basically saying, "I don't mean to brag, but I'm going to anyway". Haha. I've probably used that phrase before, but then again, I was probably meaning to brag. I think people say that just to sort of gloat about something without seeming so cocky and big-headed. Cause how else would you sell yourself without sounding conceited. What sounds better: "Dang, I have a nice stomach." or "I don't mean to brag but...I have a nice stomach." Haha..I guess both sort of sound self-involved...

I do use those words, but just to close people, like my brothers and best friend. It didn't really hurt them anyway but in the same time this will actually make them do even better in the future in certain field, for example, when I'm teaching my brothers bout Calculus, he still unable to solve the basic questions, i will then brag about it is my way to get high marks in test with those kind of questions, they usually get pumped up and focus more. End of test, they get good grades. Well, this kind of tactic not work on all people but it does work on my brothers.

I have used these words to get across a message, and even though i find it a little odd and awwkward, it does seem to get the message across pretty effectively. It does help in increasing the self esteem of people when you give yourself as an example and get them to also open up and talk about thier accomplishments. Want me to brag a little. I started a similar discussion to this a little while ago.

I haven't seen this often. Haven't heard it in a while either. But I guess the ocassional pat on the back doesn't hurt. Lots of people need that every now and again.

Hi SaintAnne I dont think I have ever used that expression as I have felt if what I did was all that good people would' soon see it and would tell me I did so well.I am really rather shy. shy p eople usually are not much for being braggers. We tend to let people judge us for themselves rather than toot our own horns.

Well "I don't want to rub my achievements in your face but" is one but that sounds like they are doing it just to rub it in your face. As long as it doesn't sound as if you are trying to appear better then the people I don't see any problem in saying that sentence. I think if someone continues to brag after saying that such as on this site, then yes, it's just too much and they are bragging. Unless of course the post is informative.

I have heard and seen a lot of people that start their sentence with that and it is very annoying because you when they say they do not want to brag,they are really trying to brag,but they do not want to seem conceited in what they are saying or they just want to make themselves look good,and I know I have used that phrase a couple of times,but I try not to,and I have also heard someone say I do not want to ring my own bell but.

Lol, I hear that a lot and probably unconsciously do it myself a lot, too. See, we have been raised that it is not polite to toot one's own horn, to constantly brag about ones accomplishments, or that of the children etc. Yet, we are proud of whatever accomplishment it is and want the world to know. So politely we wrap it up in I don't want to brag but ... I have to do it anyway;) That acknowledges the shame one should feel about doing it... but really, do we feel that way? For me it's something I have been raised with and simply a habit. When I entered the working world a nice person told me, if you don't toot your own horn you won't have a career. Nobody here will pay attention to you, somebody might even take your accomplishments and pass them of as his or her own. So, pad yourself on your shoulder as much as you can. I have no shame anymore in tooting my own horn, yet phrases like 'I don't want to brag, but...' still sneak in every so often;)

I don't ever start my sentences with this but I may use it to end an explanation sometimes. Heehee. It doesn't annoy me at all. It's not that I'm used to it already. I just feel like I should respect the way people think and feel about themselves. if they really t=don;t want to brag but brag anyway then that's their problem.

I do not think there is any harm in being proud of something, you no is good. Keep it up. It caught my eye.

Modesty aside... Yeah, I admit I've used these words in the past. But only when the one I'm talking to is praising me and lifting me from the ground and he/she wants me to talk about my achievement. I am kinda uncomfortable in bragging about my achievements you see. I even get so pinked-face everytime someone praises me, especially if others could hear and look at me with admiring eyes. But I don't think there's nothing wrong about getting a little proud of our achievements sometimes Anne dear, I know when you say those words, you don't sound like bragging but rather just informing... {*wink}

How about "I like you, but..." or worse yet, when the boss says "You did a good job, but..." SLAM! That but tears away the small compliment and turns the conversation into a destructive put-down. How about if you just said, I love to brag AND... Would that be so bad? Why shouldn't we toot our own horns once in a while? The other way it is like the listener might interject, "Well, if you don't link to brag, then DON'T"---we leave ourselves open.

Hi Anne, You made me think a lot with that question. :) I can't remember at any time that i mentioned that phrase or use that phrase. I am a person who doesn't like to brag on my achievements in life. i would rather be quiet about it and let other people do the talking of what i have achieved so far. even at work, i don't usually say i do it or i did it. at times others would take advantage of me by getting the honor of something that i worked on or my ideas. i am a very silent worker and i like it that way. I don't want to carry my own chair... hehehhehe

I think it is ok to use that as an opener rather than say it straightforward because most people might take your being proud of an achievement in a bad way. I even use them myself so that I won't look bad if I'm proud of an achievement.

I often experience to say these words when i used to help to somebody and i got into trap. it was initial days i was putting my head into everything and trying to help out in more circumstances and then i find myself into trap to ask help from somebody. so i stopped and saying myself "dont put your head"

Sometimes people do want some sort of recognition from other people. That's why they want to brag but their heart is telling them bragging is bad. In the end, they are stuck in the middle by saying I don't want to brag but in actual fact, they do want to brag. For me, I don't like to brag. I never do. Just let others say or do whatever they want. If I'm good, people will notice.