Some people are incredibly entitled and self-obsessed.
Many of their narcissistic personality traits might fly under the radar, but if you know what you’re looking for, it becomes glaringly obvious what type of person they really are. So, how do you know for sure that you’re dealing with one of these manipulative egomaniacs? They’ll usually give themselves away by doing these things.
1. They exaggerate their achievements and talents.
Narcissists love to toot their own horn, often embellishing their accomplishments or flat-out lying about their skills. They might claim to be the best at everything they do, even if there’s no evidence to back it up. This isn’t just harmless bragging; it’s a way for them to inflate their ego and feel superior to everyone.
2. They crave constant admiration and validation.
Narcissists have an insatiable need for attention and praise. They fish for compliments, seek recognition, and thrive on being the centre of attention. They might even go to extreme lengths to get the validation they crave, like manipulating situations or people to make themselves look good.
3. They lack empathy and have difficulty understanding people’s feelings.
Narcissists often struggle to put themselves in other people’s shoes. They might dismiss your feelings, ignore your needs, or act completely oblivious to the impact of their actions on other people. This lack of empathy can make it difficult to form meaningful connections with them, as they’re often more focused on themselves than on building genuine relationships.
4. They’re extremely sensitive to criticism and easily offended.
Even the slightest criticism can trigger a narcissist’s rage or defensiveness. They can’t handle any feedback that doesn’t align with their inflated self-image. They might lash out, deflect blame, or try to turn the situation around to make you feel like the problem. It’s like walking on eggshells around them, always fearing that you might say something that will set them off.
5. They believe they’re better than everyone and deserve special treatment.
Narcissists have a grandiose sense of self-importance and believe they’re better than everyone else. They might expect preferential treatment, demand special favours, or act like the rules don’t apply to them. This sense of entitlement can be incredibly frustrating and alienating for those around them.
6. They exploit and manipulate people to get what they want.
Narcissists are masters of manipulation. They’ll use charm, guilt-tripping, or even threats to get what they want. They might take advantage of your kindness or generosity, or they might try to control your behaviour to suit their needs. Their relationships are often transactional, with little regard for anyone else’s well-being.
7. They’re jealous of people and believe that everyone’s jealous of them.
Narcissists are constantly comparing themselves to other people and feeling threatened by anyone they perceive as more successful or accomplished. They might belittle people’s achievements, spread rumours, or even try to sabotage their success. This envy is often fuelled by their own insecurities and their deep-seated need to feel superior.
8. They’re arrogant and haughty, often belittling or demeaning people.
Narcissists have a condescending attitude and often look down on people. They might make snide remarks, put you down, or dismiss your opinions. This behaviour is designed to make them feel superior and maintain their fragile ego. It can be incredibly hurtful and damaging to your self-esteem.
9. They have a sense of entitlement and expect things to go their way.
Narcissists believe that the world revolves around them and that they deserve everything they want. They might throw a tantrum if they don’t get their way, or they might sulk and withdraw if they feel slighted. This sense of entitlement can make them difficult to deal with and can strain relationships.
10. They lack accountability for their actions and blame other people for their mistakes.
Narcissists rarely take responsibility for their actions or apologise for their mistakes. They’ll deflect blame, make excuses, or even try to gaslight you into thinking that you’re the one at fault. This lack of accountability can be incredibly frustrating and can make it difficult to resolve conflicts or move forward in a relationship.
11. They have an inflated sense of self-importance and believe they’re special.
Narcissists often see themselves as unique and extraordinary individuals who deserve special recognition and admiration. They might believe they’re destined for greatness or that they’re above the rules that apply to ordinary people. This inflated ego can lead to arrogance, entitlement, and a disregard for other people’s feelings.
12. They’re preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
Narcissists often have unrealistic and grandiose fantasies about their future. They might daydream about achieving fame, fortune, or power, or they might imagine themselves in a perfect, idealised relationship. These fantasies serve as a way to escape reality and bolster their fragile self-esteem.
13. They require excessive admiration and are easily wounded by perceived slights.
Source: Unsplash Narcissists have a constant need for validation and affirmation. They thrive on compliments, praise, and attention. But even the slightest hint of criticism or disapproval can trigger their rage or insecurity. They might become defensive, lash out, or withdraw completely. It’s like their ego is a delicate bubble that’s constantly on the verge of bursting.
14. They have a sense of entitlement and expect special favours and unquestioning compliance from people.
Narcissists believe they’re entitled to special treatment and expect other people to cater to their every whim. They might demand favours, cut in line, or expect people to bend over backwards to accommodate them. This sense of entitlement can be incredibly frustrating for those around them, who may feel used or taken advantage of.
15. They’re interpersonally exploitative, taking advantage of people to achieve their own ends.
Source: Unsplash Narcissists often see people as pawns to be used for their own gain. They might manipulate, deceive, or exploit people to get what they want. This can range from small favours to major betrayals. They have little regard for other people’s feelings or well-being, and will happily step on anyone who gets in their way.
16. They show arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes.
Source: Unsplash Narcissists have a condescending and dismissive attitude towards people. They might interrupt, talk over people, or dismiss their opinions. They might also brag about their accomplishments, boast about their possessions, or act like they know everything. This arrogance can be incredibly off-putting and can make it difficult to have a meaningful conversation with them.
17. They lack empathy and are unwilling to recognise or identify other people’s feelings or needs.
Source: Unsplash Sadly, narcissists just can’t relate to other people’s feelings. They might seem cold, callous, or indifferent to your pain. They might also dismiss your concerns, minimise your problems, or invalidate your feelings. This lack of empathy can make it difficult to form a close or meaningful relationship with a narcissist.
18. They’re often preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
Source: Unsplash Narcissists often have an unrealistic and inflated sense of self-importance. They might believe they’e destined for greatness or that they’re special and unique. They might also have fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love. These fantasies can be a way for them to escape from reality and to cope with their insecurities.
19. They believe they’re special and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions).
Source: Unsplash Because narcissists think they’re better than everyone, they believe they should only associate with people who are also special or high-status. They might be drawn to people who are wealthy, powerful, or famous, or they might be drawn to relationships with people who they believe are intellectually or creatively superior. This need to associate with “special” people can be a way for narcissists to validate their own sense of self-importance and to feel like they belong to an exclusive club.
