We’ve all experienced it—that secondhand embarrassment when someone says or does something so socially offbeat, you can’t help but cringe.
But here’s the thing: People with poor social skills often don’t realize how they’re coming across.
They might think they’re being funny, confident, or honest, but to everyone else, it’s just… uncomfortable.
The truth is, social skills aren’t something you’re born with—they’re learned and refined over time—and while some people seem to have a natural gift for connection, others struggle to pick up on social cues, tone, and timing.
The result? Behaviors that make people avoid them, roll their eyes, or just try to escape the interaction altogether.
Here are 7 cringe-worthy behaviors people with poor social skills tend to display—and why self-awareness is the first step to fixing them:
1) Overstepping personal boundaries
Everybody values their personal space to some degree, and recognizing this is a fundamental aspect of social interaction.
However, individuals with poor social skills often struggle with this concept.
They might stand too close for comfort, touch others inappropriately, or pry into personal matters without invitation.
It’s not that they mean any harm; they just don’t grasp the unspoken rules of personal boundaries.
Psychologists note this behavior as a clear sign of social ineptitude.
If you find yourself or someone else continually encroaching on others’ personal space, it might be time to take a step back and reassess your understanding of social boundaries.
2) Avoiding eye contact
Contrary to popular belief, avoiding eye contact is not always a sign of deceit or evasiveness.
Instead, it can often indicate poor social skills.
According to the Social Skills Center, “Maintaining proper eye contact in a conversation is important to show interest and respect for the person speaking. It also makes you look more confident.”
But for some, maintaining this form of non-verbal communication can be incredibly challenging.
Whether it’s due to shyness, anxiety, or simply not understanding its importance, consistently avoiding eye contact can make others feel ignored or undervalued.
3) Dominating conversations
Engaging in a conversation is like dancing—it requires rhythm, balance, and a good deal of give-and-take.
But when someone consistently monopolizes the dialogue, this social dance loses its harmony.
People with poor social skills often dominate conversations, either because they’re overeager to share or they simply don’t recognize when it’s their turn to listen.
This behavior can be off-putting, making others feel unheard or undervalued. It can also lead to missed opportunities for meaningful connection and shared understanding.
4) Misinterpreting body language
Did you know that up to 93% of communication is nonverbal?
That means a lot of our interaction relies on cues like body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice.
People with poor social skills often misinterpret or miss these cues altogether.
They might not pick up on a friend’s subtle shift in posture signaling discomfort, or they might misread a sarcastic tone, leading to misunderstandings and awkward situations.
This inability to interpret nonverbal cues can significantly hamper social relationships.
If you find yourself frequently confused by others’ reactions, it might be worth investing some time in understanding the basics of body language.
It’s an unsaid language, but one that speaks volumes in the world of human interaction.
5) Ignoring emotional cues
Speaking of unsaid language, another area where people with poor social skills often struggle is responding appropriately to emotional cues.
For instance, they may laugh when someone shares a sad story, or brush off a friend’s anger with an irrelevant comment.
This isn’t necessarily because they don’t care, but because they lack the ability to process and respond to emotional cues effectively.
While it’s rarely intentional, it can leave others feeling misunderstood or emotionally invalidated.
The good news? This skill can be developed.
It starts with paying closer attention to people’s tone, expressions, and energy in conversations.
The more you tune in, the easier it becomes to spot when someone needs compassion instead of a punchline.
6) Overdoing politeness
Politeness is often regarded as a virtue, a sign of good upbringing and respect.
But there’s a fine line between being courteous and overdoing it to the point of insincerity.
People with poor social skills sometimes overcompensate by being excessively polite.
They might use overly formal language, excessively apologize, or constantly defer to others, even when it’s unnecessary.
Their intentions might be good, but this behavior can come off as inauthentic or even patronizing—creating a barrier that prevents genuine connection and rapport.
If you find yourself falling into the politeness trap, it might be helpful to remember that authenticity often trumps etiquette.
After all, meaningful relationships are built on honesty and authenticity, not just manners.
7) Failing to ask questions
Conversations are a two-way street, where both parties share and exchange thoughts and ideas.
Asking questions not only shows interest but also encourages the other person to share more about their experiences and perspectives.
People with poor social skills, however, often fail to ask questions.
They might not realize that their lack of queries can come across as disinterest or self-absorption.
This behavior can stifle conversations and limit opportunities for deeper connections.
If you notice that your interactions are typically one-sided, it might be time to start asking more questions.
As the saying goes, “Be interested, not interesting.” That’s the best way to make meaningful connections with people.
Understanding the importance of social skills
If you’ve recognized some of these cringe-worthy behaviors in yourself, don’t panic: Social skills, like any other skills, can be learned and improved with practice and time. It’s never too late to start working on them.
Start by identifying which social skills you struggle with and set realistic goals for improvement—practice active listening, respect personal boundaries, and work on your non-verbal communication.
Also, consider putting yourself in social situations where you can practice these skills by joining clubs or groups with similar interests, going out with friends more often, or volunteering at local events.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to seek help if needed.
Therapists and psychologists specialize in helping individuals improve their social skills and overcome related challenges; their guidance can offer valuable insights and practical tools for enhancing your social interactions.
Social skills aren’t about being perfect—they’re about being present, aware, and intentional. And that’s something anyone can learn.
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