To think this isn't 'pretentious'

[blameitontheweatherwoman]

Meeting my brothers new girlfriend last night at a family event. Small talk etc and she asked me what I was doing at uni, I said and I quote, 'a masters in social work'. That was fine, small pleasantries were exchanged and that was it.

Must note me and my brother don't have the best of relationships. God knows we've tried but we just don't get on, we're polar opposites and fall out, make up, fall out, make up.

Anyways, this afternoon I received a text from him, basically the way I presented myself and my education was 'pretentious'. Was there any need to tell his girlfriend I was doing a master in social work rather than just 'I'm doing social work'. He said even saying I was doing a postgrad would have been better.

It was honestly not a conscious thought but was then thinking, even if it was, why bloody not? I'm proud of it?

However it's made me weary about how I present it to others (sure I'm overthinking). Is it pretentious to say that when asked??

Your brother is a dick and so is his gf if she had a hand in this.
Well done you!

Sorry he's a twat. She asked and you answered. Simples. Now to waffle on for hours about it and that you are the best at the best school and blah blah blah... that could come across pretentious. But not just saying a masters - that's just a fact.

My ex was the same when i was asked what school i went to by his family. I just said the name of it (it was a private school but at no point did i mention that) apparently that was pretentious of me (like i had a say in where my parents sent me!) They asked what school, i told them the name. End of. But nope i was 'lording it' over them (really wasnt and i hated the school so wasnt even bigging it up). Told me i should have just said the nearest school to my house instead?!?

I can see why you two fall out!

Tell him to wheesht! 🤫

I love how 99% of the responses about him thinking it is pretentious, are to cut him down to his obviously lowly uneducated level. I’m sure there is a word for that.

@BoredZelda

I love how 99% of the responses about him thinking it is pretentious, are to cut him down to his obviously lowly uneducated level. I’m sure there is a word for that.

I'm sure there is, but it's not pretentious

I think your reply was fine. I think he has a "feels a failure" syndrome because he didn't go to Uni and you are!1 Despite his success through other routes. I suspect that whatever you said "post Grad" "studying social work" or whatever would have been wrong in his view!!

I would just reply and say" Sorry it annoyed you." and then make no further comment even if he comes back at you with further comment .... or I would just ignore the text completely!

You are just being straightforward and honest. It is just social smalltalk, your brother is a bit daft. It is not an issue and he should have covered it with his girlfriend and supported you.