Some conversations present appropriate opportunities to relate one's experiences and knowledge. An obvious example is a job interview, or a conversation with a prospect for your services. Other conversations with people who are genuinely interested in your story are fair game for relating what you've done, and perhaps the problems you've solved for someone or some company, if asked. Try always to relate these stories from someone else's point of view, rather than a totally first person approach. And your story will fall on much more receptive ears if you also ask about others' experiences. Everyone likes to talk about himself or herself. It's those who monopolize these conversations who make themselves unpopular.

For example, I have a good friend here in Argentina who's lived, worked and traveled in many parts of the American (North, Central, and South) continents. After several years of hearing his stories, I still hear new ones, and never tire of vicariously exploring with him. A major factor in my enjoyment of his saga is that he talks about the characters he's met and the circumstances of his life and work much more than about himself and his accomplishments.

So, if you're on a job interview, or talking to someone who genuinely enjoys your story (always be watchful for signs that they've heard enough), tell it! Having said that, I would caution you in every circumstance to be very careful about using the first person description (as in: "I did...", or "I knew...", or "I fixed...")

In other situations than those mentioned, talking about yourself and your accomplishments is called boasting. It's only effect is to turn people off. Best to avoid it scrupulously.

How Does This Person Make You Feel?

Minda's final recommendation is to do a "gut check". If the person you're evaluating (yes, we're all doing that in our early experiences with anyone) makes you feel uneasy, look hard for other signs. There could be external factors which make you uncomfortable. Nonetheless, the way you feel in his or her presence is a very good indicator of whether or not more experience with this person is right for you. Whatever the basis for the feeling, if the "gut feel" is uncomfortable, perhaps this is someone you needn't spend more time with.

Perhaps Minda's article, and the other thoughts related here, will help you steer clear of the time-wasters and other toxic parasites you're likely to encounter in life and business, before they take up too much of your time. I'd have advanced my business experience by a few weeks if I'd been more aware, more quickly, of what was happening in the story I related in the preamble to this message.

Good luck with this!