We all know someone we can describe as difficult. However, in some cases, we might not notice that someone is difficult to deal with if we don’t want to accept that. Here, we look at 18 behaviors that show that someone is difficult to be around.
Always Needing the Last Word
When dealing with a difficult person, you’ll often find they can’t resist the need to have the last word in every discussion. You’ll find that this person constantly interrupts others to assert their own opinions, and if someone disagrees, they’ll rehash their arguments to death to prove their point.
Excessive Sarcasm
Sarcasm can be witty, but in excess, it becomes a sharp tool for difficult people. There’s also a time when sarcasm is necessary or even funny, but that’s not always the case. Good Therapy says, “For some individuals who identify as highly sensitive, sarcasm is particularly biting. But most people respond negatively to it, whether they show it or not.”
Refusing to Compromise
Stubbornness is a hallmark of difficult personalities, especially when they refuse to meet others halfway. Difficult people rigidly stick to their demands or views and show no interest in compromising to accommodate other people’s feelings or desires. In some cases, the situation might even escalate.
Overreacting to Criticism
A telltale sign of a difficult person is their disproportionate reaction to even mild criticism. This is especially a problem if the criticism is constructive and necessary to help them grow in their role or character. Instead of seeing this as a good thing, they’ll think people are trying to attack them.
Being Disrespectful
Disrespect is a clear sign of a difficult person who doesn’t value others as equals. According to Social Self, some of the signs someone doesn’t respect you include not inviting you to group activities, telling you exactly what to think, disrespecting your time, and speaking in a harsh tone.
Playing the Victim
Difficult people often manipulate narratives to cast themselves as the perpetual victim. They blame others for their own failures and rarely take the time to look inward to see how they could have done things differently. If they do something wrong, they’ll never take responsibility and will, at the very least, blame their circumstances.
Have Unrealistic Expectations
Difficult people tend to set the bar impossibly high for others, leading to constant disappointment. They expect perfection from others yet rarely hold themselves to the same high standards. This creates a tense environment; we can’t all be perfect all the time.
Spreading Negativity
Some people always look at the bad side of things. They often share their gloomy thoughts with everyone, making groups feel drained and unhappy. They criticize things but don’t offer any ideas on how to make them better. This constant negativity makes every interaction with them feel heavy and difficult.
Gossiping and Stirring Trouble
Difficult people love to spread stories that aren’t completely true. They enjoy causing problems among friends or coworkers and use gossip to control others. This kind of behavior can create a lot of trouble and hurt feelings. It’s a way for them to manipulate situations to their advantage.
Ignoring Advice or Feedback
Ignoring advice and constructive feedback is often their way of maintaining control. They’ll go out of their way to find helpful advice and then ignore it they often think that their ideas are always best and have absolutely no room for other people’s contributions
Manipulating Others
WebMD defines manipulation as “the exercise of harmful influence over others.” It involves using tricks and lies to get what one wants. Difficult people often twist the truth to fit their needs and deceive others. They use other people to gain benefits without caring about the consequences.
Lack of Empathy
A lack of empathy means not caring about how others feel. Some people just don’t understand or care about the effect their actions have on others. They may seem cold or unfeeling, especially during arguments or conflicts. It’s important to know that if people don’t have empathy towards others, they likely don’t have empathy towards you, too.
Unwilling to Change
Change is essential for progress, yet difficult people often resist it. They refuse to accept new ideas or change their ways, even if those ways are outdated or wrong. This stops them from growing and can make it hard for everyone around them to move forward.
Dominating Conversations
In every conversation, the difficult person tends to take over, leaving little space for anyone else. When others are speaking, difficult people will frequently interrupt or talk over them and prevent them from finishing. They just love to hear themselves talk.
Quick to Anger
A quick temper is often the undoing of a difficult person, sparking unnecessary conflicts. You should be careful when dealing with people who have short fuses. Mind recommends giving them space and giving them space to process their anger without putting it on you.
Making Mountains Out of Molehills
Difficult people often turn minor issues into major crises. They amplify small issues, often complain about trivial matters, and create stress over insignificant details. Instead of looking forward and seeing how the problem can be solved, they get obsessive about what caused the issue.
Unreliable and Untrustworthy
Reliability is often lacking in difficult people, making them hard to trust and depend on. It’s hard to trust these people because they never keep their promises or meet commitments and instead choose to walk away from their responsibilities when it’s time to deliver. If you’re wise, you’d avoid relying on them for important issues.
Judging Others Harshly
Difficult individuals are often harsh judges, quick to highlight others’ flaws without introspection. If you know someone who always emphasizes people’s weaknesses and faults, they are likely a very difficult person to deal with. They probably have very high standards that maybe even you cannot meet.
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