When it comes to your deepest and darkest secrets, you need to make sure that they aren’t going into the wrong ears. There are many people who qualify as having the “wrong ears” in this regard, and here are the personality types that define them.
The Gossip
These types of people are addicted to knowing the latest rumors and thrive on the feeling of sharing them with others. They may often be notorious for stirring the pot in their social circle or workplace to get attention, using the excuse that gossiping is a form of bonding.
The Manipulator
Masterminds of coercion and control manipulators are to be avoided, especially when you’re looking for a good listener. As PsychCentral mentions, these people are often very flattering and use that as a ‘tool to gain emotional leverage’ and potentially convince you to tell them everything.
The Competitor
Be wary of competitive people. They might seem trustworthy, but they could use your secrets to get ahead. These individuals often measure their success by others’ failures and might betray you to gain an advantage.
The Oversharer
While it seems that open and honest oversharers are great for swapping secrets, they often struggle with the boundaries between private and public information. They have unreliable written all over their faces, a poor track record of confidentiality, and will most likely share your secrets in casual conversation.
The Opportunist
Opportunistic people always look out for their own gain, putting their interests first. They are often willing to share secrets if it benefits them socially or professionally. If they sense a secret, they won’t hesitate to use it—so be cautious!
The Judgmental
We’ve all had that one judgmental friend, and we hope that you have been able to escape yours before you told them all your secrets. These people are snappy criticizers, often on their high horse of moral standards, and are likely to spill a secret or two if they feel morally compelled to do so.
The Work Rival
As the BBC states, ‘we’re often unaware which of our colleagues feel threatened by our performance,’ and it’s important to recognize who has your back in a professional environment. Sharing sensitive information with anyone in this space is very risky. People with hidden agendas might use secrets as power tools and may keep strategic tabs on others.
The Social Media Addict
A common personality type among the younger generation, those who are addicted to their phones spend a significant part of their lives on the internet. Their public versus private personas are often blurred, and they take their online engagement very seriously, to the point where privacy is no longer a priority.
The Braggart
If you have a friend who constantly brags about themselves and their achievements, it probably isn’t a good idea to share your potential failures with them. They may use your secrets to improve their own image or use them to show off their insider status because their ego clouding their judgment and discretion.
The Stranger
When you can’t confide in your friends and family, you may find yourself turning to a stranger. As The Guardian points out, ‘we seek out non-intimates precisely because they’re non-intimate.’ However, it’s advised to keep your cards close to your chest because relationships that aren’t established contain many loopholes, and you never know how your secret will travel.
The Unreliable Friend
Unreliability is a frustrating thing, particularly when it comes to those you’ve spilled your secrets to. This type of person tends to let things slip due to forgetting the significance and confidentiality of your sensitive information. They are unlikely to take responsibility for the consequences that it creates for those who choose to share their secrets with them.
The Ex-Partner
If you’ve decided to remain friends with your ex, we recommend being certain of their true loyalty to you before sharing your secrets. Whether they are secretly looking for revenge or not, any former relationship has its risks. Your secrets may be used against you in conflict as they are more likely to make emotional decisions rather than rational ones.
The Flatterer
Are you generally cautious around those who are too complimentary? If not, then you probably should be. While it isn’t always the case, flatterers have a natural knack for charm and often have concealed motives to uncover your secrets under the guise of forming a close bond.
The Nosy Neighbor
Your neighbors could become friends or stay as acquaintances, influenced by various factors. They might be interested in local gossip or curious about others’ lives. Sharing secrets with them might seem safe, but be cautious.
The Distant Relative
You might believe that family is the safest place for your secrets, but limited contact with distant relatives can lead to unintentional sharing. Their own family issues might lead them to spread information for drama.
The Blabbermouth
Those who lack the ability to filter their thoughts from their words are known as the blabbers of the world. They often share secrets unwittingly in casual conversation because they simply don’t understand the impact, generally thriving on telling the story due to it gaining their attention.
The Sceptic
Investors in People draws the line between skepticism and cynicism, writing, ‘skepticism takes a realistic view of the human condition, cynicism takes an entirely negative one.’ Swapping sensitive information with these types of people risks a level of judgment if they doubt your moral reasoning and feel the need to discuss it with others.
The Misguided Confidant
These well-meaning friends may accidentally share your secrets while trying to help, often because they’re inexperienced and not out of spite. They might share your information with others, thinking they’re seeking advice.
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