How do you feel about being publicly compared to others?

I believe, but am not certain, that we are not allowed to ask questions such as, “do you like me?” Here on fluther. However there are other questions that it seems can be gotten away with. “Who is the best whatever?” Or “Who wrote the best question of all time?” Or, “Who do you want to take on your journey to the bottom of the Earth?”

When people answer these questions, they are bound to hurt some people’s feelings. If someone doesn’t appear on any list, it could really bother them. If someone has numerous friends and lists just a few, it could hurt the rest of their friends.

I think that people do compare themselves, whether they want to or not. It’s hard not to notice the lurve number. However, the comparisons occur in subtler ways, too—maybe evaluations of someone’s writing or their wisdom. I’m sure everyone has their favorites here—whether for wisdom or for humor or whatever.

I’m sure there are times that all of us could use a love-fest. People get depressed and are seeking a way out, and so they ask questions about what they should do about it. Usually several people express affection for the OP.

Being compared to others, though, risks not coming out well, and the feelings associated with that. Is the risk worth the reward for you? Or would you rather not have any overt comparisons ever? In your life, have there been any public situations where you have been judged, either for good or for bad? How did you feel when someone else was chosen instead of you? What did you say about the contest/comparison situation when you didn’t get a reward you thought you should have gotten?