12 Quick Ways to Become Everyone’s Least Favorite Person

We all know someone with a knack for rubbing people the wrong way. It could be a coworker, a friend of a friend, or even a family member.

What if we told you that sometimes you might be guilty of these unlikable behaviors? While it's perfectly normal to have off days and be grumpy, it's important to recognize when our actions are causing others to dislike us.

To help you self-reflect and determine if you're coming off as unlikable, we've compiled a list of some of the biggest social turnoffs. If you show any signs of these behaviors, you might want to stop doing them — pronto.

Complaining

Some people don’t realize how much they complain. It isn’t until someone else tells them to stop being so negative that the moment of realization occurs.

As a result of evolution, paying attention to threats became a means of survival. Our brains tend to find the negative in situations as a form of protection. However, this can be taken too far.

People who constantly complain suck the positive energy from other people and can turn other’s moods sour. Therefore, it’s important to try to focus on the positive when you can, even when you don’t feel like it.

Not Greeting Others Back

As someone who has felt the weight of social anxiety, I must admit that not greeting others is not always ignorance. However, it can be insulting, especially if someone takes the time to acknowledge you with a friendly “Hello.”

I come from a small town, so unfortunately, I bump into people I know. People in town might stare at your face but won’t always reply with a hello. I find it rude, and I am sure others feel the same.

It doesn’t cost anything to acknowledge someone with a simple, one-word response. Greeting others exudes self-confidence, friendliness, and good manners. If you know the person, you really have no reason not to return the greeting!

Not Listening to Others

Listening to words and hearing them are two different things. Are you too busy thinking about what you are going to say next instead of actually listening to what the person has to say?

It can be challenging to listen to others when we have many stories to tell and advice to give. Sometimes, we think we know what people are thinking, and so we don’t give them the time to speak. Listening can be hard for some people, but it can be quite frustrating for the other party when they feel like they aren’t being heard.

Clever techniques to show you are listening include summarizing what the other person is saying, repeating essential details, and pausing without jumping to respond.

Never Smiling

Never smiling can make a person seem cold and unfriendly. Smiling is contagious. As my mother always says, “Smile, and the world smiles with you.”

A smile can convey that you are in a relaxed state of mind, and it has many other benefits. Smiling, even when we don’t mean it, releases positive hormones, which do wonders for your mind and body.

If you see someone frowning, though, don't tell them to smile more. It's dismissive of what they may have going on in life.

Interrupting Others

Interrupting others goes hand in hand with not listening to them. When you boldly interrupt someone, you convey disrespect. You may be inadvertently showing that the other person’s opinions don't matter as much as yours and that you think your opinion is more important.

Learn to be mindful and withhold your story until it’s time to talk. Also, be sure to look for cues that may suggest a retort or response isn't necessary or wanted, like with a rhetorical question.

Telling Lies

People are quite good at detecting lies. When you tell lies, you may think you are getting away with it and that they know no better. However, lies can catch up to you very fast.

When the other person finds out that you are lying, it can cause irreparable damage to the relationship. Friends and family learn to take your words with a grain of salt.

Not Reading the Conversation

Sometimes, conversations are serious. Other times, they're riddled with laughter. Being able to read the room suggests you can gauge which is which, and that skill can bypass a lot of awkwardness.

Take time to observe the mood and emotions of the people around you. If people seem down, hold in your funny joke or story until a more appropriate time. Make sure to think about how others may feel about an off-tone comment before acting.

Unreliability

If you are constantly late or canceling plans, missing deadlines, or failing to follow through on your promises, those around you will consider you unreliable.

An unreliable person lets people down and cannot be trusted. If you’ve made a commitment to something, prioritize that even when it appears inconvenient to do so. This is why you shouldn't overpromise. Though you may mean well, overpromising and then underdelivering create a strained relationship.

Arrogance

If you think you are better than everyone else, it shows in your interactions. Arrogant people have less time for others because they are so caught up in their own achievements.

It's possible to come off as arrogant and not know it. Even if you don't mean to come off that way, you'll make others feel less important and foster resentment. If you feel your ego is getting in the way of keeping relationships, it's time for an attitude adjustment.

The truth is that, in most social circles, nobody is more important than anyone else. Everyone deserves respect, regardless of their position or status in society.

Gossip

Gossiping can get you in hot water with the people around you. When people find out that you are a gossip, they will be cautious about what they say when you're present.

Some people use gossip as a way to bond with others, but gossiping can be perceived as a negative. Pushing others down is not admirable, and gossip can be very harmful. If you spread something that's deeply personal, you risk hurting that individual all for the sake of “cool points.”

Somebody else's gossip should never be your ticket to making friends.

Getting Too Personal Early on in a Relationship

If you share too many personal details before a person has had time to get to know you, it could be a turnoff that costs you a relationship. Sordid details about your past, family drama, or even issues in previous relationships can be a bit much for those initial conversations.

Instead, consider waiting until you’ve built up a solid rapport with a person. Small talk is a fantastic tool for establishing connections, whether you enjoy it or not.

Acting too Nice

When you are being so nice that you consistently cover up how you really feel, know that it is time to stop. Genuine niceness doesn't have to be forced, and it won't leave others questioning your intentions.

If you appear too nice, people will either think you're being dishonest about who you are, or you're an easy mark and they can walk all over you.

It’s okay to say no sometimes and establish healthy boundaries with others. Then, your true self can shine.