mmm, ok Lauren. Would you agree with me that, if there is a problem and it lies solely with people, then the most simple solution is to avoid them. But I don't think thats very practical, living in societies. You do acknowledge that people may assume you have a high self-esteem, and that they may perceive you to be cocky. So the trouble is really in a difference in what they see, and who you really are. The cause for this, may be as you have outlined, that they are threatened by you, and feel its their duty to bring you down.
This difference in viewing in also be put in reverse. Is there a reason or a plausible explanation they may perceive you to be cocky or feel that you need to be cut down?
To state something positive about yourself e.g. "I'm sexy" . only gives people a few options of how to perceive you, and how to respond.
1. They could either think you are great and that you are very sexy, and acknowledge that.
2. They could either think are NOT that sexy, lie and acknowledge your statement or remain silent/direct the conversation else where.
3. The could either think you are sexy, but feel envious, and their own defense mechanism for inadequacy they'll try to cut you down with their remarks.
4. The could either think are you NOT sexy, and that you should know it, either because they don't want you to delude yourself or that they don't want you to have the satisfaction over them.
There are many ways of expressing these different responses, however I would say 99% of responses will fit into one of these 4. Being so, you have 2 in 4 chances (50%) you'll receive a undesired response, and if you can tell if people are lying , thats 75% because now they're lying to you or avoiding you. (I understand this is a oversimplification of human behavior and it assumes all outcomes have equal possibilities)
So, looking at the probability, such statements leave people with a few predictable options. With such high possibility of these negative remarks. Wouldn't it be intuitive to avoid the whole statement, then to be hung up about taking those remarks personally?