A: avoid them

YOU SHOULD NOT AVOID A FRIEND AFTER OUTPERFORMING THEM AT SOMETHING: New research finds that if you beat out a friend at an activity you should not avoid them afterwards. The research was published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, and two separate experiments confirmed that after outperforming someone the typical reaction is to avoid that person. A third experiment had participants recall a time they “came out ahead” of a friend or colleague and found that most of them reported a drop in outcome satisfaction if they avoided the loser afterwards. Researchers say most shrink away because they feel their victoy makes others feel jealous or threatened, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Experts advise you to treat your friend normally, and boost their ego a week later by asking them for pointers about something they know well. (Men’s Health)