Word of the Week #1: Bravado

[Aquacorde]

bra·va·do
/brəˈvädō/
noun
a bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate.
synonyms: boldness, swaggering, bluster

etymology: 1580s, from French bravade "bragging, boasting," from Italian bravata "bragging, boasting" (16c.), from bravare "brag, boast, be defiant," from bravo (see brave (adj.)). The English word was influenced in form by Spanish words ending in -ado.​

How does this word apply in your life? Can it be associated with you personally? To others? Is it specific to a situation? Does the word invoke a feeling or memory, either specific or vague? Is bravado a positive or negative thing to have?

 

[Fairy]

How does this word apply in your life? Can it be associated with you personally? To others? Is it specific to a situation? Does the word invoke a feeling or memory, either specific or vague? Is bravado a positive or negative thing to have?

What a charming thread. :)

I really thought about this for a while, and I think my position as a relatively successful artist has entitled me to a small level of bravado; as it should be for anyone who has put effort into a skill or talent they have, in my opinion. I work very hard to improve my art everyday, and I commit to making time for it and caring about it, so I'm certainly proud of how far I've come from only a few months ago. And yes, often my art is intended to impress people, both on the internet and in my life. Like when applying for a job, for instance. If I know I have a really stellar portfolio, damn right I'm going to show it off!

So, just on the bases that my art is so deeply intertwined with my life and my personality, I'd believe bravado is associated with it in a positive way. Bravado is also something I think many people should have more of, so long as it's not for the purpose of intimidation. There's no shame in being proud of your accomplishments, after all! On the other hand, I've also had moments when my boldness has gotten me in trouble because I was very insecure and tried to project the opposite, only to come across as aggressive and bossy. A definite balance needs to be found for everyone.

I think the key for bravado, regardless of context, is moderation. Having just enough so people recognize you as ambitious with pride in yourself and your work (not to be confused with confidence), but not too much that you come across as arrogant or distastefully defiant.

 

[Wicked3DS]

^ I think you pretty much said everything that could be said about this. Pretty much, bravado is good when it is confidence in your ability. When it becomes pride and arrogance, that's when you run into trouble.

 

[Aquacorde]

What a charming thread. :)

I really thought about this for a while, and I think my position as a relatively successful artist has entitled me to a small level of bravado; as it should be for anyone who has put effort into a skill or talent they have, in my opinion. I work very hard to improve my art everyday, and I commit to making time for it and caring about it, so I'm certainly proud of how far I've come from only a few months ago. And yes, often my art is intended to impress people, both on the internet and in my life. Like when applying for a job, for instance. If I know I have a really stellar portfolio, damn right I'm going to show it off!

So, just on the bases that my art is so deeply intertwined with my life and my personality, I'd believe bravado is associated with it in a positive way. Bravado is also something I think many people should have more of, so long as it's not for the purpose of intimidation. There's no shame in being proud of your accomplishments, after all! On the other hand, I've also had moments when my boldness has gotten me in trouble because I was very insecure and tried to project the opposite, only to come across as aggressive and bossy. A definite balance needs to be found for everyone.

I think the key for bravado, regardless of context, is moderation. Having just enough so people recognize you as ambitious with pride in yourself and your work (not to be confused with confidence), but not too much that you come across as arrogant or distastefully defiant.

Though you use it to impress, are there ever times when you use your bravado to- well, not entirely intimidate, but to set yourself up as the one in control? Since it seems to be very tied to your skill as an artist, do you use it to strengthen your position in artistic communities?

^ I think you pretty much said everything that could be said about this. Pretty much, bravado is good when it is confidence in your ability. When it becomes pride and arrogance, that's when you run into trouble.

Hmm, I wouldn't say pride is necessarily a bad thing; it's really good to be proud of yourself. I'd say that false pride, false bravado is where things go wrong and the person ends up looking like a cocky prick (which they probably are, if they're just trying to show off what they haven't got).

 

[Oryx]

Stargazer VMed me and I was too busy and dumb to reply and then he added me on Skype so we could actually talk. That's bravado. :)