I don’t like braggarts. I seem to find myself in their company more and more these days. It makes me feel quite uncomfortable, whether I’m in their midst or simply reading about them in a book or journal, or even listening to them drone on during some, radio, TV, or internet presentation.

I have even been subjected to the rants of some of the contributors to this very same opinion page who precisely fit this description. These trumpeters often speak at or above the 70 decibel level. The subject matter generally consists of a highly intricate description of their own accomplishments to the exclusion of anyone or anything else. Their storytelling is usually replete with exaggerations or plain old lies.

These individuals disdain listening to feedback or constructive criticism and will often interrupt others in order to talk more about themselves. Ironically, bragging is an indication that the person committing the act is arrogant, insecure, and/or narcissistic with a low level of self-esteem. It serves to alienate others and damages relationships. D.V. Ragarajan says of the behavior, “Don’t brag. It’s not the whistle that moves the train.”

(Just to digress for a moment, despite periodic articles claiming progress being made with east-west rail here in Massachusetts, you still can’t get a train from Pittsfield to Logan Airport. In fact, you can’t get a train from anywhere to Logan Airport.)

To listen to someone rattle on about how s/he has conquered adversity and has the answer to every question under the sun usually captivates the listener for about five seconds before s/he starts wondering about what’s for dinner. “The biggest challenge after success is shutting up about it,” writer Criss Jami notes. Listening to Joe Biden drone on about his accomplishments and to Donald Trump drone on about his purported accomplishments is monotonous.

Granted, there are a few exceptions that prove the rule.

Muhammad Ali comes to mind, not only his exclamations of “I am the greatest,” and “I am so pretty,” but also his declarations concerning racism and politics. Yes, he bragged, but even so there was an element of sarcasm and self-deprecation that made people listen and smile. He could laugh at himself — to wit, when Billy Crystal did his “15 round” monologue of Clay’s/Ali’s life.

Finally, the raison d’être for writing this column:

Last week I got a hole-in-one at the Blandford Country Club, on the 167-yard 6 hole! OK, it was from the senior tees, but I’m 79 years old and it was a 167-yard gem. If there’s one thing I don’t need right now it’s additional responsibility, but at this point I have to make sure my buddy Steve remains healthy for a very long time. He’s my only witness.

Some might say it was dumb luck. I agree with Auston Matthews, “You’ve got to make your own luck.” You see, before teeing off I analyzed the weather conditions, looked at the pin placement, chose my 5 wood … Hey, are you listening?

Jonathan Kahane lives in Westhampton.