People who constantly tell far-fetched stories and cast themselves as the hero

[YouAreAMouseInAMaze]

There's a guy I work with who, every time I see him, tells me some usually quite long and involved story about something that went wrong or someone was a dick and the resolution of the story is always that he fixed the problem/told the person exactly where to get off/generally saved the day, usually quoting himself being very witty and quick-thinking.

The other day I was at a party and ended up talking to a woman who did exactly the same thing (claimed to have beaten up some massive guy who was being cruel to a dog).

I just never know what to say when people are like this, but worry that my face gives my utter disbelief away.

AIBU to ask how to react to such types (and to ask for your most outrageous examples)?

People like to revise incidents favourably. I have a friend who talks constantly and at length about various topics and expresses how she said this and that. Have realised a lot of what she 'said' is actually what she thought and later wished she had said. I guess we all sometimes wish we were more courageous with presence of mind, some people fabricate tales to deal with this.

I would just say nothing, smile in a non committal way and say something like hmmm. Anyone with some intelligence will know you haven't bought their story. Then it is upto them whether they learn from the experience. Challenging the fabrications will only cause upset and achieve nothing much.

Just smile and nod, people who do this are a bit insecure but there is no need to pull them up on it.
A girl at school used to do this and would pretend she'd gone out for dinner with NKOTB or similar at the weekends. She was bullied quite badly by others because of this. I think she was just desperate to impress and try to be liked and went about it the wrong way.

I have fucking huge rather large boobs and when I was younger I heard some ridiculous tales from men trying to chat me up.

One of the funniest was from a guy who was struggling to pay his bill (I was at work). He smelt and looked a mess and proceeded to tell me he was a bodyguard for some ambassador and had just got back after saving his life.

Guess which film was in the cinema?
I used to be a cow and egg them on, see how wild and inventive they could get.

This is my SIL. For the last 12 or so years, I have had to bite my tongue, and listen to her far fetched tales. In these tales, she is always the heroic victim. Oh so special. Luckily, I live a whole continent away, so don't have to stifle my laughter as I nod along to her latest tale of woe.

It's just a shame as my DB seems to swallow these tales hook, line and sinker....

Problem is, I can't prove these tales are lies, as I live in a different country, and by the time I can verify how ridiculous these tales are, the time has well and truly passed. And it would end my relationship with my DB if I poked my nose in.

So we just watch, and wait, for the next tale of woe......and hope that one day, my DB sees sense....