Johann Hunt
Some people just have a way of making every moment about themselves. You’ll be halfway through a story and suddenly, it’s their spotlight. It’s not always obvious at first. The charm can be loud, the red flags quiet. If that rings a bell, this article lays out the small behaviors that start to make a big difference.
Hijacks Every Conversation
Try sharing a personal achievement, and somehow, it becomes their story. Your struggles? They’ve always got someone who’s had it worse. Conversations feel like monologues, with one person always stealing the spotlight. When you do speak, the response feels distant, like they’re not really listening.
Never Apologizes, Even When Wrong
Mistakes happen. Most people own up to them. But not this person. Reality gets twisted until you’re the one questioning yourself. Even with undeniable proof, admitting fault never happens. If pressed, blame gets redirected elsewhere. Accountability feels foreign to them because their image matters more than the truth.
Expects Special Treatment
Rules apply to everyone—except that one person in the room (you know who). Favors are always asked for but rarely returned. Personal needs come first, like picking the restaurant or snagging the last piece of cake. This isn’t just occasional selfishness; it’s a constant pattern of entitlement.
Disregards Your Feelings
Ever opened up about something painful, only to be met with indifference? Emotions get downplayed, brushed aside, or worse, turned into a comparison. A response might come, but only as a setup to shift the focus. Your feelings exist, but only in relation to how they feel.
Makes Everything A Competition
Excelling at work? Suddenly, someone else had a bigger promotion. Feeling sick? Someone else has felt worse. Even in grief, another story takes over. Instead of celebrating or supporting others, every moment gets measured against a personal experience, always with the goal of coming out on top.
Only Showing Up When A Favor Is Needed
Silence. No calls, no texts—until something is needed. Suddenly, warmth and charm reappear. Once the request is fulfilled, so does the disappearance. Relationships aren’t nurtured; they’re used. Friendships and family ties serve a purpose only when they provide direct benefits.
Reacts Poorly To Criticism
Point out an issue, and get ready for defensiveness. Constructive feedback, no matter how positive, can still lead to sarcasm or flat-out denial. It’s like every comment turns into a personal attack. Growth needs self-awareness, but for them, preserving their self-image always comes first, sometimes over self-improvement.
Dismisses Your Success
Exciting news never seems to land well with them. Instead of genuine congratulations, you get lukewarm reactions, if any at all. They quickly change the subject, act unimpressed, or downplay your efforts. Some might even try to take credit for your success.
Guilt-Tripping When Boundaries Are Set
Say no, and suddenly you’re the bad guy. It’s like personal wants always take priority over everyone else’s boundaries. And the farther apart you are, the stronger the guilt tactics get. The truth is, ignoring limits doesn’t just happen by chance—it happens because someone is gaining from crossing them.
Plays The Victim In Every Situation
Nothing is ever their fault. They twist events, painting themselves as the one who suffered the most. Even when harm is caused, the story flips to gain sympathy. Their ability to manipulate emotions allows accountability to be avoided, over and over again.