# Was this too much boasting **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 28, 2018, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645 "2018-01-28T10:35:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LiveFree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@LiveFree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveFree)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/1 "2018-01-28T10:35:25Z")
Wondering if this was boasting or okay. Quick run down: I’ve donate blood platelets regularly for about 10 years. Just reached 20 gallons At the gym I’ve seen one of the executives of the blood donation agency, and mention to him that I only have 5 minutes left on the cardio machine. I ask him if his name is \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. It is. Mention that I just hit 20 gallons of donations. He says “great”, we shake hands and introduce each other. He asks what type of donation that I make and at what location, we exchange some small talk. Then says, no hurry for the cardio machine. I’m \*\*HOPING \*\*that he didn’t take that I was boasting about the donations. I’m just happy to make them and to hit that mark. Your thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/2 "2018-01-28T10:41:35Z")
I could be terribly off base, but you did a good thing, it’s worth talking about. Plus it’s his business, so it’s relevant to bring it up. I say good on ya. Blow yer own horn once in a while:D ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/3 "2018-01-28T11:00:40Z")
Na, that’s cool. He’s an exec at the donation agency, it’s a point of common interest. If it was just some random dude and you start prattling on about how much blood you’ve donated, that would be off. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/4 "2018-01-28T13:40:52Z")
It sounds perfectly fine to me and appropriate small talk. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/5 "2018-01-28T14:01:32Z")
As long as it was 20 gallons of _blood_, I think you’re okay. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/6 "2018-01-28T15:13:44Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > As long as it was 20 gallons of _blood_, I think you’re okay. As long as it was 20 gallons of _your own_ blood, I think you’re okay. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/7 "2018-01-28T15:44:30Z")
It’s not boasting at all. In fact, you should look into getting a “20 Gallons” sticker for your car, like the “26.2” sticker alleged marathon runners have.\* Congratulations by the way. \*they’re not boasting, it’s just part of networking with fellow runners. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/8 "2018-01-28T16:03:09Z")
> [@BobBitchin](#): > > Plus it’s his business, so it’s relevant to bring it up. Yeah, this. Although starting a thread about it here might be stealth bragging. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/9 "2018-01-28T17:26:49Z")
What you said wasn’t boasting. Opening this thread might be. ---
**Author:** ![LiveFree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@LiveFree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveFree)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/10 "2018-01-28T18:12:02Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Yeah, this. > > Although starting a thread about it here might be stealth bragging. > [@panache45](#): > > What you said wasn’t boasting. > > Opening this thread might be. Not bragging. I pretty much don’t do well with notoriety or compliments. Prefer to stay under the radar. Only asked this question, hoping that I wasn’t being bragger. I’m proud to donate blood. More people should do it. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/11 "2018-01-28T18:22:34Z")
I remember feeling pretty proud when I hit 20 gallons at the sperm bank. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/12 "2018-01-28T18:26:27Z")
When I want to brag about something but I don’t want to sound like I am bragging, I say 'I am stupid-proud of myself. I never thought I could do that." It makes it clear that I am showing my happiness in my own achievement, not trying to one-up anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/13 "2018-01-29T01:54:19Z")
Matthew 6:1-4: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men.” … just sayin’… ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/14 "2018-01-29T03:24:45Z")
Nah. It’s a good accomplishment and really the person in this world who would appreciate your donations the most is that very guy. I know boasting and that is not it! ---
**Author:** ![TwoCarrotSnowman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twocarrotsnowman/32/15879_2.png) [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/15 "2018-01-29T07:04:05Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#): > > I remember feeling pretty proud when I hit 20 gallons at the sperm bank. “We’re going to need a bigger cup”. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/16 "2018-01-29T13:36:42Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#): > > I remember feeling pretty proud when I hit 20 gallons at the sperm bank. Yeah, I remember my first visit as well. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/17 "2018-01-29T16:01:50Z")
Not at all. And if the opportunity presents itself again, you should couple your “boast” with a personal statement of why you donate, how you like the staff/experience when donating, etc. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-too-much-boasting/807645/18 "2018-01-29T16:28:59Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Matthew 6:1-4: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men.” > > … just sayin’… Might be relevant if he was boasting to random people, but to one of the executives of the donation agency? Not at all. That’s the kind of stuff I’d love to hear from donors if I’m one of the people in charge of the organization.