What does it mean to 'patronize' someone?

To 'patronize' someone means to treat them in a way that seems kind or helpful but actually conveys a sense of superiority or condescension. This behavior often involves adopting an attitude of false kindness, where the person offering assistance feels above the recipient rather than engaging with them as an equal. The term implies a lack of genuine respect and an underlying belief that the other person is inferior or less capable.

In this context, the other choices do not accurately capture the meaning of 'patronize.' Treating others as equals or demonstrating equal respect entails mutual consideration and acknowledgment of each other's worth, which directly contradicts the idea of patronizing. Similarly, criticizing without reason lacks the nuance of conveying a false sense of superiority; it focuses more on critique rather than the dynamics of the relationship implied in patronization. Therefore, the correct understanding of 'patronize' lies in the notion of condescending kindness that masks a superior attitude.