Patronize comes from Latin patronus "protector, master," related to pater "father." So if you patronize a person, you talk down to them like a father might do to his child or a master to his apprentice.
In the 14th century, when the word was borrowed into English from French, "patron" already had several meanings, the most common of which was "a person chosen, named, or honored as a special guardian protector, or supporter." This use clearly gave rise to the "provide aid or support for" sense of "patronize" when this ...
Key takeaways. Patronizing is the act of appearing kind or helpful but internally feeling superior to others. This happens in multiple forms including interrupting people, making belittling comments and trying to minimize them by being condescending.
People have a patronizing attitude and exhibit condescending behavior for different reasons, but usually, it boils down to insecurity and/or arrogance. Yes, you can definitely be arrogant and insecure at the same time. Here, we point out some behaviors people say that typically don't land well and foster negativity.
: showing or characterized by a superior attitude towards others : marked by condescension.
Condescension is rude and patronizing. Treating someone with condescension is the opposite of treating them with respect. Condescension is full of arrogant and snooty attitude, and people who practice condescension treat others like inferior idiots.
WHAT DOES “PATRONIZING” MEAN? Patronizing is the act of appearing kind or helpful but internally feeling superior to others. Patronizing behaviour is a subtle form of bullying and can take many forms in social contexts.
Although it's tempting to give the offender a piece of your mind, remaining calm is the best response. Flying off the handle only makes the other person believe that their behaviour is justified. Also, be careful not to reply to a condescending person with more condescension.
adjective. If someone is patronizing, they speak or behave toward you in a way that seems friendly, but that shows that they think they are superior to you. [disapproval] The tone of the interview was unnecessarily patronizing.
How to respond: “Remember not to take it personally,” Hehman says. “It's not aimed at you as an individual and is probably even well-intentioned. So rather than take offense, assert yourself in “a calm, positive way,” she suggests.
If someone patronizes you, they speak or behave towards you in a way which seems friendly, but which shows that they think they are superior to you in some way. [disapproval] Don't you patronize me! [
If someone is patronizing, they speak or behave towards you in a way that seems friendly, but which shows that they think they are superior to you. The tone of the interview was unnecessarily patronizing . Schneider patted the girl patronizingly on the cheek.
Key Difference – Condescending vs Patronizing
These two adjectives are very similar in meaning and can be used interchangeably in most instances. Patronizing refers to treating someone with apparent kindness which betrays a feeling of superiority. Condescending refers to displaying a superior attitude.
The related verb patronize can either be positive or negative. In the positive sense to patronize means to be a patron or a customer to a business. In the negative sense, patronize means to talk down to someone. Patronize is synonymous with condescend.
The Psychology Behind Condescending Behaviour
Often, the root of condescension is insecurity. Those who aren't confident in their abilities will look for opportunities to prove their superiority and take comfort in it.
When you patronize another person, you treat them in a way that makes them feel small and stupid. In other words, they doubt their own opinions and beliefs. And you do it a manner which they do not appreciate.
To patronize someone is usually to be in agreement with someone in a sarcastic manner or in a superior (know it all) way. To be condescending is to speak to someone as if they are below you or have less individual value as you, if you are condescending you speak down to others.
“When an action is helpful, it feels like both parties are on equal footing. Being helpful comes from a genuine place, without any expectations in return. On the other hand, being patronizing is when you attempt to help and appear kind, but you do so with a superior attitude or in a condescending way.”
They Belittle You While Explaining Things
It's not great when they act like you're stupid for not knowing it in the first place. “It can cross into patronizing if they belittle or demean you for not knowing as much or if they speak in a condescending manner while talking to you,” says Consul.
Empathy, defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, is a beautiful thing. But when empathy misses the mark, it borders on condescending, oftentimes jumping right into the pool of patronizing.
Patronizing. Patronizing is when you outwardly appear kind and helpful but inwardly feel superior or condescending. If you notice a pattern in yourself or someone else of constantly feeling “better than” or “holier than thou,” you might be acting in passive-aggressive ways.
In one word it is, surprisingly, arrogance. Assuming the person in front of you does not have as much to contribute to the world and the present conversation due to your own prejudice. Being aware of, yet completely indifferent to someone else is the highest (or lowest, as it were) form of disrespect.
“Gaslighting their partner and making them feel crazy, second-guessing their perspective and experiences, [or] refusing to compromise or even engage with their partner after a conflict,” are also examples of things a condescending partner will do, according to Saba Harouni Lurie, LMFT, the owner and founder of Take ...