Know-It-All: How to Deal with Them Gracefully

Know-It-All

Table of Contents

Dealing Gracefully with the Know-It-All (Kahit Hindi Naman)

We’ve all been there.

You’re sharing a story—maybe about a place you’ve actually been to, a dish you’ve actually eaten, or a topic you’ve studied or lived through—when that person suddenly cuts in.

“Actually…”
“Hindi ganyan yan.”
“No, I read somewhere that—”

And just like that, the conversation is hijacked.

Welcome to the world of the Know-It-All—that fascinating species of human being who seems permanently armed with opinions disguised as facts, confidence with no warranty, and an unshakable belief that they are always right… even when they are clearly not.

Have You Met One Lately? [ Know-It-All ]

Before we go further, pause for a moment.

Have you ever encountered someone among your peers—at work, in meetings, family gatherings, barkada dinners—who:

Always has to correct someone
Turns every conversation into a debate
Cannot say “Ah, oo nga” or “I might be wrong”
Treats disagreement as a personal attack
And somehow believes they are an expert on everything—from economics to espresso to Korean street food—despite limited experience?

If you’re nodding, congratulations. You’ve met one.
If you’re not nodding… medyo kabahan ka na. 😌

The Classic Manifestations of a Know-It-All

What makes the Know-It-All especially tricky is this: most of them are completely unaware of their behavior. In their mind, they are being “helpful,” “intellectual,” or “just sharing information.”

In reality, they often exhibit the following:

Unsolicited corrections
Kahit wala namang tanong, may sagot sila.
Opinion inflation
A quick Google search becomes “research.” One visit becomes “expertise.”
Conversation domination
They talk at people, not with them.
Zero submission in arguments
Even when proven wrong, they pivot, deflect, or double down. Walang surrender. Ever.
Forced authority
On food (“Hindi yan authentic”), places (“Mas maganda ‘yung napuntahan ko”), or knowledge (“I know this kasi ganito yan”), kahit halatang shaky ang ground.

Ang masama pa? They often correct people who actually know more—the traveler being lectured about a place they lived in, the professional being explained their own field, the cook being told how their dish should taste.

Nakakaubos ng pasensya. Nakaka-shrink ng utak.

Know-It-All : Why They Are So Irritating (Let’s Be Honest)

The irritation doesn’t come from intelligence. We love smart people.

It comes from:

Dismissal of others’ experiences
Lack of humility
The refusal to listen
The arrogance disguised as confidence

In arguments, the Know-It-All rarely aims to understand. The goal is to win. Even when the topic is trivial. Kahit pagkain lang, parang thesis defense.

And over time, this behavior has effects.

Know-It-All : The Impact on Peers and Groups

In group settings, Know-It-All behavior can:

Shut down participation (people stop sharing)
Create silent resentment
Make discussions tense instead of productive
Turn collaboration into competition
Drain energy from meetings and conversations

People begin to think, “Huwag na lang ako magsalita.”
And that’s when everyone loses.

Know-It-All: How Do You Deal with Them—Without Offending or Exploding?

Here’s where grace (and strategy) comes in.

1. Don’t Take the Bait

Not every wrong statement needs correction. Protect your peace. Piliin ang laban.

2. Acknowledge, Then Redirect

A simple:

“That’s one perspective. From my experience though…”

This validates without surrendering.

3. Ask Questions Instead of Arguing

Questions expose shaky ground faster than confrontation.

“Interesting—where did you experience that?”
“What made you conclude that?”

Let silence do the work.

4. Set Gentle Boundaries

Especially at work:

“Let’s hear others too.”
“Can we park that idea for now?”

Professional. Calm. Clear.

5. Use Humor (When Appropriate)

Sometimes a light: “Grabe, encyclopedia ka today ah.”

breaks tension without aggression. Timing is everything.

6. Accept That You Won’t Change Them

This is key. Some people don’t want dialogue; they want dominance. Manage your response, not their ego.

A Gentle Reality Check (Para sa Lahat)

At some point, all of us—yes, all—have probably been that person. The difference is awareness.

True intelligence is not loud.
True confidence listens.
True expertise knows when to say, “I don’t know.”

Know-It-All : Final Thought

Dealing with a Know-It-All is not about winning arguments—it’s about preserving relationships, sanity, and self-respect. Choose grace, choose humor, and choose when to engage.

And if you ever catch yourself starting a sentence with “Actually…”—pause.
Breathe.
And maybe… just maybe… let someone else shine. 😉