I think more often low self esteem is associated with cockiness. People overcompensate for what they lack or are insecure about. Then again, I would say that cocky people wouldn't go out and say they have low self esteem, they'd say they have high self esteem. It's a weird thing, who really knows?

I think cockiness and self-confidence are so different. It's strange to me that people confuse the two.

Also, annebreal, I agree with you. I find that cocky people usually have very low self-esteem.

I absolutely agree, most of the time cockiness is overcompensation. But since I like using less common words and I have confidence in myself some people take that as cocky.

But the thing that really pisses me off is when someone mistakes how kind I am to people for some sort of stupidity. But that tends to bite them in the ass later, so it's okay.

I dont understand why this gets confused either but it does!

Sometimes. But my job requires a bit of cockiness, so it all evens out!

Though they are not the same, they can of course get confused. I get mistaken for cocky too. I'll admit I am sometimes, but I even get mistaken when I'm just 'normally' confident.

I notice that the people who are the first to call someone a name are almost always insecure.

I've been told I'm very confident but never arrogant or cocky. Cockiness always reads to me as insecurity, not confidence at all. The people that exude the most confidence are always the ones that believe in themselves and their capabilities but know how to present that in a way that doesn't isolate others.

In my experience, often the people that deny that they are cocky are typically the most cocky, whether they rate themselves as having high self-esteem or low self-esteem.

People who are "cocky"--arrogant, rude, abrasive, and determined to show off how much better than everyone else they are--aren't self-confident. They're insecure; that's why they go to such lengths to prove themselves.

Real self-confidence is quieter. If you're sure of yourself, you don't need to prove it at every turn.

My boyfriend has high self esteem and it clearly comes across as cocky alot of the time. I try to tell him about it, but he doesnt see it. Sometimes it makes him sound like a total dick

Confidence does not always equal cockiness, and vice versa I have found

although insecurity usually leads to cockiness, oftentimes high self esteem causes it too.

i can be confused as a cocky person at first glance, but as soon as people get to know me, they know that is sooo far from the truth. i've actually been accused of being too humble for my own good

i know people who are cocky who are seriously insecure. i am very confident i try not to be cocky. i have had some people call me intimidating though. has anyone else had this problem?

danzerdrea7, me too.

i've got the intimidating thing too :S
thats the last adjective i'd use to describe myself

In high school, I was more introverted and shy than I am now, and the other girls at my work thought I was stuck up because I didn't say much.

Real, honest confidence should NEVER be cocky or arrogant. Cockiness is almost always overcompensation or nervousness.

My self esteem only turns to b*tchiness when I truly don't like someone. I don't think I become cocky as I express most thoughts through humor and sarcasm and not so much self promotion.

I know this girl who is overweight, has no class, and has no manner. Who thinks of herself so highly, and when you get to that point, it is more like a denial.

Vanilla J... I know one the same way...only she's obsessed with her body staying toned and tanned because she knows her face is horrendous. She also sleeps around with whoever will sleep with her...just to feel worthy.
Shame.

Danz and Sun- I would have to say I have heard that I am intimidating since I was in high school.. am I bit older than most of the posters here, but have to say, I still hear it, mainly from female friends who tell me that I am wonderful (true friends!), but that my professional achievements may intimidate a great deal of men. It is frustrating....why should we as women be considered intimidating just because we have the same brainpower, accomplishments, and ambition as men? Just because I am successful doesn't mean I am a ballbuster... just looking for love like the rest of you!

The man I most recently loved was not highly educated, but an incredibly talented, but broke musician...I had so much admiration, love and respect for him, though, it didn't matter. Friends told me my professional achievements may have been tough for him, which is why he pushed me away.

Either way, a frustrating thing...I guess I have to keep looking for the guy that is psyched to have a successful woman at his side. Hard, though, because the heart wants what it wants, and I have never been one to look at who is "good on paper".

All my friends that are girls said when they first met me they were sure I was going to be a total b*tch. Which, I don't understand because I am very friendly and laugh a lot. But, I am confident and sure about myself, so they just figured I would be cocky and b*tchy. Obviously I'm not since I am friends with them now, lol

i am very insecure... but like others have said, ppl always think I am intimidating or a b*tch before they get to know me. But they quickly change their tune. Thank goodness.

Those are completely different things.

Cocky people usually have low self-esteem, hence the cockiness, they overdo it to compensate.
And people with true high self-esteem don't act cocky at all, they just act natural and are comfortable and they send vibes of "comfortable-ness" out, so they make other people feel more comfortable and open.

People who are cocky are people with low self-esteem. They tend to look down on other people because it covers their insecurity. When they feel someone is better than them they then focus on their weakness. A person with high self-esteem feel good about their self and spread their goodness to others.

well i have been told at times that i come off differently than i think that i do. personally i don't think that i have a lot of self esteem...i get very self conscious about a lot of things, but the topics that i'm sure about i've been told that i've come off a bit like a know it all.

It depends. You can have self esteem and not be a b*tch but a lot of people who have it sadly are.

I am rather confident and have high self-esteem. I've had people tell me after they've gotten to know me that I came off as snobby and full of myself when they met me. Not the case at all!!!

im pretty confident and i have a high self-esteem too. people tell me that im strong and that nobody can do just anything to me. they never called me arrogant or snobby or cocky. though i must say, i joke a lot, sarcastically. it does offend a few people