Subtle bragging
This doesn’t apply to me - I have absolutely nothing to brag about, but I have noticed other people indulging.
For instance, someone I knew received a course of flying lessons as a present from her husband. She was pleased and excited. Not unnaturally, she mentioned it in a social media post. Most of her friends congratulated her and said how lucky she was. They were happy for her and hoped she would enjoy the course.
One person, however, took it one step further and asked if she was considering buying a small aircraft. This person recommended the plane he had, a Cessna, I think, or perhaps a Piper, and said how much fun he and his family were having and where and how often they were flying. Maybe he just wanted to share his enthusiasm but the effect was to devalue the gift.
It deadened the pleasure my acquaintance felt momentarily but she proceeded to have her lessons and thoroughly enjoyed them. So far, some months later, she has resisted the urge to buy her own plane!
