Pretentious

I have no idea why, but I seem to use this word a lot on girls. I believe I'm substituting this word for the typical singaporean phrase 'act cute'. I guess since I'm a girl, I'm less sensitive to guys being pretentious, unless I personally know them. I myself hope that I'm not pretentious. But I have a feeling people think I am. On the one hand, pretending to be somebody you're not can help you with your networking. On the other, it ruins the way the others perceive you. And in the heart of it, you know that one cannot satisfy everyone at the same time, so both results will go hand in hand. However, are you more eager to make acquaintances that help you advance in life, or to keep your friends who have aided you in your success?