What makes someone better than you?

I know we are all supposed to feel that no one is above us and no one is below us, yet there is often a knee-jerk reaction of feeling that someone is ‘better’ than ourselves.

When you meet someone, what specifically makes them better than you? When you measure yourself up- what does the other person have that you feel is lacking in yourself?

Is it money? A way they handle a certain situation?

I’m talking basic knee-jerk reactions before any good psychological training can come into play.

I always feel inferior to people who can work a 9–5 job. That’s impressive to me and I definitely don’t stack up to it.