How can I bring my friend down to size?
Tell him exactly what you think. That is always the last thing we think of, but I really think in this kind of situation more than most others, it is the best option. It might embarrass him a little bit, but just try to have an honest conversation with him. Ask him why he feels like he has to act like this. Let him know he doesn’t have to impress you. If he starts getting defensive and tries to make a joke out of it or just blow it off – tell him you want to have a real conversation with him as a friend. If he doesn’t come around after you tell him that, tell him you don’t like to be around him when he acts like that because it bothers you, and is unnecessary. Good luck, and just be sensitive. He might be feeling something that is causing him to think he needs to try and act like this in front of you.
