It’s not always easy to spot someone who’s untrustworthy, which is why you’ve got to keep an eye out for the surprising signs that they’re going to bring deception and unhappiness into your life. Here are 16 habits that untrustworthy people tend to have in common. Some will surprise you!
1. They’re suspicious of others.
Untrustworthy people are always expecting others to hurt them because they’re projecting! So, your partner might say, “Please don’t hurt me” or “I’m scared you’ll betray me” and you think they’re good people. Meanwhile, they’ll be the first ones to draw the blade of deception.
2. They don’t have brakes.
To get what they want, they might try to speed up instead of slow down. So, they’ll push you into a relationship with them so you can hit all the glittery dating milestones, hoping that you don’t have a chance to catch your breath or take stock of your feelings. Whirlwind romances are a huge red flag because the untrustworthy person is trying to lock you down as soon as possible.
3. They have truckloads of charm.
People who can’t be trusted tend to have lots of charm and charisma. They use this as a front to make people think of them in a positive light. So, when you confront them about something they’ve done to hurt you, they’ll diffuse the tension by complimenting you or making you laugh. It’s a clever distraction.
4. They’re annoyingly vague.
Since untrustworthy people tend to tell a lot of lies, they’ve mastered the skill of trying to be as vague and mysterious as possible. The less they say, the less can be used against them.
5. They’re over the top with gifts.
When an untrustworthy person tries to get you to like them, they might act completely over the top to get your attention and approval. They’ll splurge on expensive gifts and love-bomb you so you think they’re amazing. It’s all a big act to hide their real selves.
6. They speak about how honest they are.
It’s not normal to go around telling everyone how honest and transparent you are. Why would they try so hard to convince others if it’s the truth? Hmm. So, be wary when they keep rattling on about how good they are or how you can trust them—chances are, you can’t.
7. Their eye contact is creepy.
They know how important eye contact is for making people think they’re honest and trustworthy. That’s why they’ll go over the top to try to make as much eye contact as possible. Think intense staring into your eyes that makes you feel on edge. Eek.
8. They try to break your boundaries.
People who can’t be trusted will try to test your boundaries because they want to get what they want. So, they’ll invade your personal space or try to glance at your phone even though it’s a violation of your privacy. If you don’t nip this behavior in the bud, it’ll just get worse.
9. Their mood has a flip switch.
The thing about untrustworthy people is that they’re prone to extreme mood swings that can make you feel uneasy. So, they’ll be sunny one minute and then become broody and sulky for no apparent reason the next. They’re unpredictable and sometimes use this to their advantage to keep you on your toes.
10. They tell you their life story right away.
When someone gabs about themselves as soon as you meet them, you might think they’re an open book. But be careful: untrustworthy people might do this to throw you off and make you think you can trust them when, in reality, you can’t.
11. They always have a story to cover themselves.
When they run late to a meeting, they’ll spin a story about how horrible the traffic was. Or, when they don’t show up for a date, they’ll try to make it seem like you misunderstood the timing. They always have a lie ready on their tongue.
12. Their stories are tangled up in a big mess.
When you speak to someone who can’t be trusted, you might find that their stories don’t match up. They might tell you they went to Paris for a vacation, only to mention a few weeks later that they’ve never been to Paris. Yikes. They could be such chronic liars that they don’t even keep track of their dishonesty anymore, or they’re trying to confuse you to manipulate you.
13. They don’t keep their word.
You might notice that the person keeps breaking their promises. They might say they’ll hang out with you on the weekend, only to disappear. Or, they’ll tell you that they want a relationship, but then not do anything to make things official. Even worse, when you confront them about it, they’ll ask you why you’re overreacting.
14. They love some good gossip.
Although it might be done in fun, gossiping can be toxic. People who shouldn’t be trusted love gossip because it gives them a chance to get information about others and spread rumors. Be wary of how they want to bond with you over the latest grapevine morsel—it could come back to bite you in the butt.
15. They try to tell you what to feel.
Linked to trying to break your boundaries, someone who isn’t trustworthy might try to change your feelings. So, if you’re worried about something, they might tell you that you should calm down because there’s no threat. Or, if you’re doubting their actions, they might remind you how honest they are. Trust your gut instead of listening to them!
16. They have lots of enemies.
It’s common for untrustworthy people to make many enemies because they have a track record of being inconsistent and unreliable. They leave a lot of drama behind them, even though they won’t take accountability for their behavior.
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