] Oh dear, I'd better watch it or I'll end up feeling sorry for the cad. He is really quite helpless in the world and the awkwardness of his attempts to get on with people is pitiful.

Oh Ann, you're such a softie! ;-)

I think this kind of personality, the exaggerated braggadocio, the "I'm always right" is basically an insecure one. There's some reason why he always has to be best or the most knowledgeable. While, if looked at that way, it is sad, it is still a very difficult person to be around!