People have a patronizing attitude and exhibit condescending behavior for different reasons, but usually, it boils down to insecurity and/or arrogance. Still, if you've been told you have a condescending streak, here are some eye-roll-worthy behaviors to discontinue. When you make broad generalizations about someone else's behavior, that's a condescending way to make them feel judged and misunderstood. Not only will you embarrass the person speaking, but everyone else listening will think you're a know-it-all jerk for putting someone on the spot in an unnecessary and condescending manner. Say you're having a debate over politics and someone says, "Come on, you know better than that."