Peeves - Pet and Otherwise

On Friday, Karen and I had lunch with our closest friends here in Cambridge. They are a true delight to be with. And while talking about this that and the other, I noticed something that had always annoyed me greatly with other people I know. Often, while talking to some of my friends, I will start some little story about a weird or amusing occurence. Just any old story that happened to me recently, and is slightly worth telling. Then, at the end of it, someone else will start another story with the interminably annoying words: "Yes, but it was even better when I...." or "Yes, but the best thing was when I...." or something to that extent. It has always bugged the hell out of me. They probably don't even realise what they are saying, but why on earth is their story even better, let alone the best ?? Just tell your story, do your spiel, go ahead and say it... just don't put yourself above anyone else here! I find this incredibly rude, because it's a subtle and superfluous way to blow ones own horn. It happens so often with a certain bunch of my friends, that the expectation of their reaction is really off-putting.

How different things can be with a little bit of consideration. With these particular friends, things are totally different. I have never heard any of them introduce their remarks with such superlatives. It's just not necessary, and becomes so boring when it is completely predictable. Certain people just do it all the time, regardless of how good, funny or obtuse their little thing actually is.

Plus, I don't know how to react to this. What do I say ? Let them finish, and then bluntly say that it wasn't the funniest thing ever after all ? Counterstrike, by saying something else that is even better than the best story on earth, ever ? I'd do that, but I'm not twelve anymore. Be ironic, laughing and saying that yes, this really was the best story I've ever heard, by far and away and without a shadow of doubt, funnier than all of Blackadder, Chris Rock and Crazyapplerumors put together, squeezed through a funny-extractor cloth and distilled in a single drop of ultra-extreme funnyness. Your story really was the best. Thing. Ever.
:)