Self-absorbed people often leave a trail of frustration in their wake.
Their inability to consider other people can strain relationships and create tension in various social settings. If you’ve ever encountered someone who seems to exist in their own bubble, oblivious to those around them, you’ll recognise these irritating behaviours. Here are 19 things self-absorbed people do that grate on everyone else’s nerves.
1. They dominate conversations.
Self-absorbed people have a knack for turning every discussion back to themselves. They’ll hijack conversations, steering them towards their own experiences, opinions, or achievements. They rarely ask questions about people and show little interest in responses that don’t relate directly to them. This one-sided communication leaves people feeling unheard and undervalued.
2. They interrupt constantly.
Patience isn’t a virtue for the self-absorbed. They’ll frequently cut into other people’s sentences, unable to wait their turn to speak. This habit stems from their belief that their thoughts are more important or interesting than anyone else’s. It’s as if they’re in a constant race to get their words out, regardless of who’s already talking.
3. They name-drop excessively.
Source: Unsplash Self-absorbed people often try to elevate their status by mentioning important people they know or have met. They’ll find ways to work these names into conversations, even when it’s not relevant. This behaviour is an attempt to impress people and make themselves seem more important by association.
4. They fish for compliments.
Source: Unsplash Craving constant validation, self-absorbed people often make self-deprecating comments or highlight their achievements in ways that prompt everyone to praise them. They might downplay a recent success, expecting people to contradict them with compliments. This manipulative behaviour puts people in the awkward position of having to stroke their ego.
5. They dismiss other people’s problems.
Source: Unsplash When someone shares a personal issue, self-absorbed people often respond by minimising the problem or immediately relating it back to their own experiences. They struggle to offer genuine empathy, instead using other people’s difficulties as a springboard to talk about themselves. This leaves the person seeking support feeling dismissed and unimportant.
6. They expect special treatment.
Self-absorbed people often believe they deserve preferential treatment in various situations. They might expect people to accommodate their schedule, bend rules for them, or prioritise their needs. This sense of entitlement can lead to conflicts when people don’t meet their unrealistic expectations.
7. They overshare on social media.
Source: Unsplash Social media is a playground for the self-absorbed. They’ll flood their feeds with constant updates about their lives, numerous selfies, and long posts about their thoughts and feelings. This digital narcissism can quickly become tiresome for followers who feel bombarded by the endless self-promotion.
8. They give unsolicited advice.
Self-absorbed people often believe they know best in every situation. They’ll offer advice even when it’s not asked for, assuming their perspective is always valuable. This behaviour can come across as condescending and fails to recognise that people might not want or need their input.
9. They refuse to admit mistakes.
Acknowledging faults doesn’t come easily to self-absorbed people. They’ll go to great lengths to avoid taking responsibility for their errors, often blaming other people or circumstances instead. This refusal to admit mistakes can be incredibly frustrating for those around them, especially in work or close relationship settings.
10. They monopolise group activities.
In group settings, self-absorbed people often try to control the agenda. They’ll push for activities they prefer, disregard people’s suggestions, and complain if things don’t go their way. This behaviour can suck the joy out of social gatherings and leave people feeling like their preferences don’t matter.
11. They neglect other people’s boundaries.
Respecting personal space and boundaries isn’t a strong suit for the self-absorbed. They might show up uninvited, overstay their welcome, or push for more intimacy in relationships than people are comfortable with. This disregard for other people’s limits can make people feel uncomfortable and invaded.
12. They exaggerate their accomplishments.
Self-absorbed people often have an inflated sense of their own achievements. They’ll embellish stories of their successes, making them sound more impressive than they really are. This habit of exaggeration can lead people to doubt their credibility and find their company exhausting.
13. They play the victim.
When things go wrong, self-absorbed people are quick to cast themselves as the victim. They’ll focus on how situations negatively impact them, even when people are more severely affected. This constant victimhood narrative can be draining for those around them and often leads to a lack of sympathy over time.
14. They ignore social cues.
Self-absorbed people often miss or ignore subtle social signals. They might continue talking when people are clearly trying to end a conversation, or fail to notice when their behaviour is making people uncomfortable. This obliviousness to social cues can make interactions with them awkward and frustrating.
15. They make everything a competition.
For the self-absorbed, life is often a constant contest. They’ll try to one-up other people’s stories, turn casual activities into competitions, and always need to come out on top. This competitive nature can turn even relaxed social situations into stressful encounters.
16. They demand constant attention.
Self-absorbed people crave the spotlight. They’ll often engage in attention-seeking behaviours, from loud talking to dramatic gestures. If they’re not the centre of attention, they might become moody or disruptive. This constant need for focus can be exhausting for those around them.
17. They lack empathy in crisis situations.
When people are going through tough times, self-absorbed people struggle to offer genuine support. They might make the situation about themselves or offer platitudes instead of real help. This lack of empathy during crises can be particularly hurtful and damaging to relationships.
18. They cancel plans last minute.
Self-absorbed people often prioritise their own convenience over other people’s time. They might frequently cancel plans at the last moment if something better comes up, or they simply don’t feel like going. This unreliability can be incredibly frustrating for friends and family who make efforts to include them.
19. They expect praise for basic decency.
Doing the bare minimum often warrants celebration in the mind of a self-absorbed person. They might expect lavish praise for simple acts of kindness or basic responsibilities. This expectation of applause for everyday decency can be off-putting and make people less inclined to offer genuine appreciation when it’s truly deserved.
