Narcissistic personality disorder

by Xanthippe 6 Replies latest social humour

• 

  Xanthippe

  So I was having lunch with my inlaws and my FIL was sounding off as usual about the economy, Scottish devolution, the shortcomings of county councils etc etc. He said to me well don't you think that (whatever it was) would be a better way of doing things ( in other words - his way ) Myself, being extremely relaxed - in vino veritas - said no I think it's narcissistic personality disorder.

  Note to self really shouldn't drink so much when talking to FIL, but it is my birthday.

  He said what's narcissistic personality disorder. So I explained to him about narcissus in Greek mythology, the youth who looked into a pool, saw his own reflection and fell in love with himself. Narcissists are generally very egotistical and feel the whole world revolves around them or the system should adapt to their needs, I said.. (Yes I will pay for this!) So he googled it on his lap top and decided from the blurb on Wiki that half the population are being described there and that he is quite normal.

  My MIL pipes up, I really don't think he knows which kind of daffodil you mean, dear.

  I know, you had to be there, I guess......... but he can be so annoying!
• 

  JeffT

  A few years ago I worked for a guy that I am now convinced is a Narcissist. It got tiresome, he was always right. He would give detailed instructions on accounting issues (which I told him wouldn't work). When it didn't work it meant that we hadn't followed his instructions correctly. All variables were supposed to work in his favor. Anybody with working experience in the apartment industry knows there is a generally inverse relationship between vacancy and rental rates. If you raise rates, you get more vacancy, if you lower rates you get less vacancy. The trick is to figure out the sweet spot. Not this guy he wanted rates up and vacancy down, all the time.

  I was not sorry when he let me go. I can't imagine having some one like that in my family.
• 

  okage

  I saw the thread title and immediately thought to myself: "Two JWs walk into a bar..."
• 

  cofty

  Happpy Birthday
• 

  Mum

  Narcissists are suave. A few years ago I was working with a narcissist who had to teach me my job. Her instructions changed from day to day, and she yelled about everything I did (except some of the things she was not capable of understanding or did not have the patience to deal with). For example, my inbox was not placed where she thought it should be, I made the print too large on labels, the word processor put codes that she did not understand in documents I prepared. I ended up in therapy. Everyone at work knew how she was, so I was not without support.

  I had never heard of NPD at that time. A therapist told me that's what it sounded like when I described behaviors. Then I looked it up online and found a list of traits of narcissists. I realized that my dad was a narcissist as well. The therapist told me that having a narcissist in my immediate family turned off my radar, that most people would have run away immediately, but the sirens did not go off in my head. I'm always on guard now, especially when someone is too glib and charming.

  I loved your MIL's comment about the daffodil!

  Happy Birthday!
• 

  Xanthippe

  Thanks for your thoughts and birthday wishes guys.

  Yes I don't think it did him any favours being an elder for many years, especially with his personality type. Being a big fish in a very small pond.
• 

  ekruks

  There's a lot of people that could be described such!