Throughout life, we hope to leave a good impression on other people. However, many of us come across as selfish without even realizing it. For those who want to be more mindful about their actions, here are 17 behaviors that reveal we’re more selfish than we might realize.
Always Putting Yourself First
Those who rarely consider the needs and feelings of other people will inevitably seem entitled as they frequently prioritize personal gain over collective well-being. This is because they demonstrate a lack of empathy, subsequently eroding relationships and making other people deem you as selfish.
Ignoring Others’ Perspectives
If you tend to disregard alternative viewpoints in discussions and shut down people who are expressing themselves, you could come across in a negative light. This also extends to interrupting or dismissing other people, which is perceived as rude because you are solely focusing on your own thoughts and beliefs. Don’t be that guy!
Manipulating Situations for Personal Gain
According to The Guardian, people who set boundaries are more likely to help other people even when there is no obvious personal or social gain. However, there is a difference between standing up for yourself and being selfish, as these individuals will exploit others to get what they want by using charm.
Difficulty Compromising
Your public image could suffer if you struggle to find a middle ground in conflicts and force your own opinions on others. By selfishly insisting on having things your way and failing to take into consideration the opinions of others, you demonstrate an unwillingness to negotiate or find mutually beneficial solutions.
Taking Credit for Others’ Work
Everyone has the right to be credited for their achievements and accomplishments, yet selfish people will claim the glory for the contributions of others, stealing the limelight in the process. They may use teamwork not as an opportunity for mutual progress but as a means to advance their personal agenda.
Frequent Boundary Violations
Those who prioritize their own needs over others will disregard the boundaries people set without thinking about how someone else might feel. They will frequently and consistently overstep limits without consideration, acting defensively when boundaries are enforced by perceiving it as a personal attack.
Lack of Accountability
Any self-serving person is marked by a lack of accountability and a tendency to blame others. Instead of taking ownership of their mistakes, they make excuses to avoid responsibility. By shifting the blame, they hope to avoid any extreme consequences or ramifications, showing a huge lack of consideration for others.
Hoarding Resources
Although it’s important to maintain some resourcefulness regarding possessions, self-centered individuals will refuse to be transparent about what they own or what direction they are heading in. They may accumulate wealth or belongings excessively, prizing personal gain over communal needs.
Inability to Apologize Sincerely
Everyone knows that saying sorry can be a powerful way of mending relationships by paving the way to forgiveness. Business Insider notes that a good apology acknowledges your behavior and commits to doing something differently in the future—something a selfish person doesn’t want to do, ever.
Seeking Validation Constantly
Many of us think that it’s harmless to crave attention and approval from others, especially if we are feeling insecure. However, fishing for compliments or reassurance on a regular basis can make you appear self-absorbed. People may begin to regard you as someone who seeks external validation… is that really what you want?
Difficulty Sharing Responsibilities
Teamwork is a key component of many roles and is vital for fostering strong bonds between people. Rejecting the idea of sharing responsibility may seem egotistical to others without realizing it, as it comes across as patronizing, appearing that you believe you are more capable than other people.
Disregarding Others’ Feelings
Acting without considering the emotional impact on others is a guaranteed way to make people think you are self-serving. By invalidating or dismissing the emotions of other people, you display yourself as someone who values their personal needs and desires over the emotional well-being of others.
Refusing to Compromise
It’s always a positive thing to have standards, as The Independent points out. A survey of 2,000 adults found 23 percent believe life is too short to settle for anything but the best. However, relentlessly insisting on having things done your way can portray you as narrow-minded. Compromise is important!
Exploiting Relationships for Personal Gain
It’s, understandably, regarded as selfish to take advantage of other people for financial or social advantage. Using emotional blackmail to achieve your goals can quickly gain you a bad reputation as someone who sacrifices their integrity for personal benefit, even when it harms others.
Avoiding Responsibilities
Just like refusing to give responsibilities to others comes across as self-centered, so too does avoiding responsibilities. By shifting tasks or obligations to others, you expose yourself as someone who evades duties and dodges responsibility. Other people may not be able to trust you when it comes to fulfilling commitments.
Expecting Special Treatment
As Psych Central points out, some studies suggest that a belief in entitlement can lead to dire psychological and social costs. This sense of entitlement to the privileges or favors of others can mark you as selfish, projecting the idea that you believe you are more special than others
Not Acknowledging Others’ Efforts
Last but not least, failing to recognize or appreciate the contribution of others can result in downplaying their efforts. This can make them feel as though their work is not valued; if you decide to boast about your own contributions, you may seem egocentric, inconsiderate, and selfish. That’s not a good look.
Up Next: 17 Things Men Start Doing After 50 That They Never Did Before
As the years go by, many men find themselves changing. In fact, when they reach the age of 50, they may start having a different behavior and habits, distancing themselves from their younger selves. Here are 17 things men begin doing after 50 that they never did before.
17 THINGS MEN START DOING AFTER 50 THAT THEY NEVER DID BEFORE
17 Reasons Why Men Refuse To Date Anymore
The dating game is hard enough when everybody wants to do it, but it’s even harder when men give up on dating altogether! Men might be taking a break from dating for many reasons, such as the following 17 examples.
17 REASONS WHY MEN REFUSE TO DATE ANYMORE
17 Household Items That Are a Complete Waste of Money
In our homes, we accumulate many items over the years, even if we don’t need them. Not surprisingly, many people want to become more minimalistic, reconsidering the amount and types of household items they have. Here are 17 household items that are an utter waste of money.