Selfish people are a drain.
They suck the energy out of your life and leave you feeling used and unappreciated. If you’re tired of dealing with their self-centred bull, here are 13 things chronically selfish people do that they’ll never admit to (but you’ll recognise instantly). This isn’t about the occasional slip-up; this is about a pattern of behaviour that leaves a trail of frustration in its wake. Time to call it out.
1. They hog the conversation.
Source: Unsplash Ever had a chat where you’re the only one asking questions? Selfish people love to talk about themselves, their problems, their achievements… anything that puts them centre stage. They rarely reciprocate with genuine interest in your life. It’s a monologue, not a dialogue.
2. They ask for a lot of favours, but never return them.
Source: Unsplash They’re quick to ask for help, but when it’s your turn, they suddenly develop a case of selective forgetfulness. Selfish people have a knack for disappearing when you need them most. They’ll make up excuses or simply ignore your requests. It’s a one-way street of favours.
3. They’re emotional vampires.
Source: Unsplash Selfish people thrive on drama and attention. They’ll dump their emotional baggage on you, expecting sympathy and support, but they won’t be there for you when you’re going through a tough time. They suck the energy out of you, leaving you feeling drained and exhausted.
4. They never let you forget the things they’ve done for you (even if there aren’t many).
Source: Unsplash They keep a mental tally of every little thing they do for you, expecting you to repay the favour with interest. They’ll remind you of past “sacrifices” and make you feel indebted to them. It’s not about generosity; it’s a transaction with them.
5. They refuse to apologise even when they’re clearly in the wrong.
Selfish people rarely take responsibility for their actions. They’ll twist the narrative, blame others, or simply refuse to apologise. Even if they do manage to mumble a “sorry,” it’s often insincere and lacking any real remorse. They never learn from their mistakes.
6. They couldn’t care less about your boundaries.
They disregard your personal space, time, and feelings. They’ll interrupt you, overstay their welcome, and expect you to be available whenever they demand it. They don’t respect your boundaries, and they’ll make you feel guilty for trying to assert them.
7. They blame everyone else for everything that goes wrong in their lives.
When things go wrong, selfish people are quick to point fingers. They refuse to acknowledge their own role in the problem and will deflect blame onto others. They’re masters of making excuses and justifying their bad behaviour. It’s always someone else’s fault.
8. They refuse to commit.
Selfish people are unreliable and flaky. They’ll make promises they have no intention of keeping, and they’ll cancel plans at the last minute without a second thought. They’re not willing to commit to anything that doesn’t directly benefit them.
9. They completely lack empathy.
They struggle to put themselves in your shoes. They lack compassion and understanding, and they often say hurtful things without realising it. They’re oblivious to the impact their words and actions have on others. It’s all about them.
10. They manipulate people to get what they want.
Selfish people are skilled at getting what they want. They’ll use guilt trips, emotional blackmail, and passive-aggressive tactics to manipulate you into doing their bidding. They’ll play the victim, twist your words, and make you feel like you’re the one in the wrong.
11. They lack generosity.
They’re stingy with their time, money, and resources. They’ll expect you to pay for everything, offer to help them out, and give them your undivided attention. But when it’s their turn to reciprocate, they’ll suddenly become unavailable or make excuses.
12. They refuse to share the spotlight with anyone.
Selfish people love to be the centre of attention. They’ll interrupt your stories, one-up your achievements, and try to make everything about them. They crave validation and recognition, and they’ll go to great lengths to get it.
13. They love throwing pity parties for themselves.
They constantly complain about their problems, misfortunes, and how unfair life is to them. They’ll wallow in self-pity, seeking sympathy and attention. They never take responsibility for their own happiness and expect others to fix their problems for them.
