What does it mean to patronize someone?

Definition of patronize
transitive verb. 1 : to act as patron of : provide aid or support for The government patronized several local artists. 2 : to adopt an air of condescension toward : treat haughtily or coolly. 3 : to be a frequent or regular customer or client of a restaurant much patronized by celebrities.
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What's an example of patronizing someone?

The definition of patronize is to be kind or helpful to someone, but to talk to them as if they are inferior. An example of patronize is when someone speaks slowly to an older person who can hear perfectly well.
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What does it mean when someone is patronizing you?

The Cambridge Dictionary defines the word “patronize” as “to speak to or behave towards someone as if they are stupid or not important.” Similarly, Oxford Languages defines it as “to treat in a way that is apparently kind or helpful but that betrays a feeling of superiority.”
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What does it mean when you say don't patronize me?

If someone patronizes you, they speak or behave toward you in a way that seems friendly, but that shows that they think they are superior to you in some way. [disapproval] Don't you patronize me! transitive verb.
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What is Patronising Behaviour?

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. [disapproval] The tone of the interview was unnecessarily patronizing . Synonyms: condescending, superior, stooping, lofty More Synonyms of patronizing.
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? Condescend or Patronize - Condescend Meaning - Patronise Examples - Condescending vs Patronizing



How do you tell if someone is patronizing you?

10 Behaviors People Find Condescending
  1. Explaining things that people already know. ...
  2. Telling someone they "always" or "never" do something. ...
  3. Interrupting to correct people's pronunciation. ...
  4. Saying "Take it easy" ...
  5. Saying you "actually" like an idea. ...
  6. Doling out compliment sandwiches. ...
  7. Demeaning nicknames like "Chief" or "Honey"
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What's the difference between patronizing and condescending?

Patronizing can mean "giving support to" or "being a customer of," suggesting that the "condescending" sense implies superiority gained through a donor-dependent relationship. The verb condescend used to be free of any hint of the offensive superiority it usually suggests today.
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How do you deal with a Patronising person?

Call Them On It. You can address bad office behavior by telling people when their actions are not okay with you. Calmly and professionally call out the patronizing person without without making a scene or being dramatic by pointedly yet politely saying, “Gee, that comment sounded a bit condescending to me.
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How does it feel to be patronized?

What Does “Patronizing” Mean? Patronizing is the act of appearing kind or helpful but internally feeling superior to others. You should avoid acting in this way since it makes others feel like you look down on them. Patronizing behavior is a subtle form of bullying and can take many forms in the workplace.
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What happens if you patronize someone?

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.
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What do you say when patronizing?

6 patronizing phrases you say at work without realizing it
  1. “You can do better than that.” ...
  2. “Right… Now back to the matter at hand.” ...
  3. “I actually like that idea.” ...
  4. “Everyone knows that…” ...
  5. “Good luck with that!” ...
  6. “You're missing my point.”
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Why does patronize have two meanings?

But both of these words have specialized senses that lend a shade of meaning to their synonymous senses. Patronizing can mean "giving support to" or "being a customer of," suggesting that the "condescending" sense implies superiority gained through a donor-dependent relationship.
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How do you not patronize?

How to stop being condescending
  1. Listen more to others. ...
  2. Be humble. ...
  3. Be encouraging. ...
  4. Ask if others want your advice. ...
  5. Empathize instead of giving advice. ...
  6. Take the perspective of a student. ...
  7. Avoid condescending body language. ...
  8. Give others credit.
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What are some condescending phrases?

Some Useful Condescending Phrases
  • Thank you. ...
  • The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.
  • I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.
  • Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.
  • I have plenty of talent and vision. ...
  • I like you. ...
  • What am I?
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Can empathy be patronizing?

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.
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What is demeaning behavior?

Behavior, correspondence, or language that frightens, humiliates, belittles, or degrades. Making repeated inappropriate comments about a person's appearance, habits, or interests. Telling jokes or anecdotes intended to demean others or make them feel unwelcome.
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Is patronizing passive aggressive?

Definition: Belittling, Condescending and Patronizing - This kind of speech is a passive-aggressive approach to giving someone a verbal put-down while maintaining a facade of reasonableness or friendliness. Many people with Personality Disorders suffer from low self-esteem and look for ways to feel better.
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What do you call a person that talks down to you?

condescend, lord (it over), patronize.
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What is patronizing tone?

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. Synonyms: condescending, superior, stooping, lofty More Synonyms of patronizing.
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How do you give praise without sounding Patronising?

5 Answers
  1. Keep it simple and direct.
  2. Say what you mean exactly.
  3. Keep it targeted at the right audience.
  4. Don't praise in public if it makes them uncomfortable.
  5. If it's possible, praise in front of peers.
  6. Don't use the same phrases of praise every time.
  7. Reference the exact behavior you're praising.
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What is another synonym for patronize?

verb. 1'don't patronize me! ' treat condescendingly, treat with condescension, condescend to, look down on, talk down to, put down, humiliate, treat like a child, treat as inferior, treat with disdain, treat contemptuously, treat scornfully, be snobbish to, look down one's nose at.
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Can someone be patronizing and condescending?

"Condescending" and "patronizing" are synonyms and therefore can typically be used interchangeably. Condescending - "having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority." Patronizing - "apparently kind or helpful but betraying a feeling of superiority; condescending."
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What is the definition for supercilious?

Definition of supercilious

: coolly and patronizingly haughty reacted to their breach of etiquette with a supercilious smile.
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How do you use patronize in a sentence?

Patronize sentence example

Every time one of you opens your mouth, you patronize me. Don't patronize me, Carmen. No, we do not patronize them by telling them what they already know. We'll meet him at the resurrection Do n't patronize me, I'm not in the mood.
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Can you compliment someone too much?

The too-frequent compliment.

Compliments can be subject to the laws of economics, meaning that the more often you give them out, the less they mean. By giving nonstop compliments, you seem insincere, and even if you genuinely feel this way, it would be best to keep some of those words of admiration to yourself.
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