If you recognize these 9 subtle behaviors, you are dealing with someone who thinks you are beneath them

Navigating social interactions can sometimes feel like a minefield. Especially when you have this nagging feeling that someone thinks they’re better than you. It’s an uncomfortable sensation, isn’t it?

Well, I’ve been there too. And I’ve learnt that sometimes, these subtle cues are more than just a feeling.

Thanks to psychology, I’ve been able to put a finger on some of these elusive behaviors.

In fact, there are 9 specific behaviors that can help you identify if you’re dealing with someone who thinks they’re a cut above you.

In this article, I’m going to share these subtle cues with you. So next time, you won’t be left second-guessing yourself.

You’ll be equipped to recognize and navigate these situations with much more confidence and clarity.

1) They seldom give you their full attention

When you’re in a conversation, does the other person seem distracted or distant?

It’s a subtle but telling sign.

Individuals who think they’re superior often struggle to give their full attention to those they consider beneath them. It’s as if they’re constantly looking for something more interesting, more worthy of their time.

They might glance at their phone frequently, not maintain eye contact, or constantly shift the topic back to themselves.

This lack of genuine interest or engagement in the conversation is a clear indicator that they don’t value your input as much as they should.

Rather than being an equal participant in the conversation, you might feel like you’re just there to fill a gap.

Remember, everyone deserves to be heard and respected in a conversation. If someone can’t offer you that basic courtesy, it might be because they think they’re above you.

2) They often engage in one-upmanship

Have you heard of the concept of one-upmanship?

It’s a psychological phenomenon where a person always tries to outdo or seem superior to others.

You might share an accomplishment, only for them to immediately share something they’ve done that’s supposedly bigger or better. Or you might share a problem you’re facing, and they’ll quickly tell you about a much bigger problem they had to deal with.

The thing is, this isn’t about them being competitive.

No, it’s much more subtle than that.

It’s about them always needing to feel superior, to assert their perceived higher status. They’re not just trying to win; they’re trying to prove that they’re on a different level.

This constant need to outdo, to one-up, can be draining and discouraging. But more importantly, it’s a clear sign that they see themselves as above you.

3) They rarely, if ever, acknowledge your accomplishments

Now, this might seem a bit counter-intuitive, especially considering the previous point about one-upmanship.

But here’s the thing.

While those who think they’re superior might often try to outdo your accomplishments, they’re also unlikely to genuinely acknowledge or praise them.

It’s as if they can’t bring themselves to admit that you’ve done something noteworthy. After all, acknowledging your success would mean admitting that you’re on their level or even above them, and that goes against their belief of superiority.

So, they might downplay your achievements, change the subject quickly or simply ignore them.

This lack of recognition can be hurtful and frustrating. But remember, it’s not a reflection of your worth or ability. Rather, it’s a reflection of their need to feel superior.

4) They often belittle your ideas or opinions

Have you ever felt like your ideas or opinions weren’t taken seriously?

Maybe you suggested something at work, only to be dismissed without much consideration. Or perhaps you shared an opinion during a conversation, only to be laughed off or outright ignored.

This habitual belittling or dismissing of your ideas is another subtle behavior of someone who thinks they’re above you.

They might make you feel as if your thoughts are not valuable or worthy of consideration. This can be very disheartening, especially when it happens consistently.

Remember, everyone has a unique perspective and valuable insights to offer. If someone constantly undermines your ideas, it may not be about the quality of your thoughts but rather their need to assert their perceived superiority.

5) They often exhibit condescending body language

Body language can speak volumes about a person’s attitude towards you.

If someone thinks they’re superior, their body language might subtly convey this belief. They might:

• Consistently maintain a closed posture towards you
• Avoid direct eye contact
• Turn their body away from you while talking
• Frequently interrupt or talk over you

These behaviors subtly communicate a lack of respect and consideration. More importantly, they can make you feel inferior or less important.

It’s essential to remember that everyone deserves respect and equal treatment in any interaction. If someone’s body language consistently suggests otherwise, it could be because they view themselves as superior.

6) They tend to disregard your feelings

In my experience, one of the most hurtful behaviors is when someone disregards your feelings.

When we share our emotions, we’re opening up and making ourselves vulnerable. It’s an essential part of human connection.

But what if the person you’re opening up to doesn’t acknowledge your feelings? Or worse, dismisses them as irrelevant or overblown?

Let’s be clear: it’s not about them always agreeing with you or coddling you. It’s about basic empathy and understanding.

If someone regularly invalidates your feelings or makes light of them, it could be because they think they’re above you. After all, why would they bother understanding someone they consider beneath them?

Personally, I believe we all deserve to be heard and understood. If someone can’t offer you that empathy, remember it’s more about them than it is about you.

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7) They tend to monopolize conversations

Imagine you’re at a social gathering, conversing with a group of people.

The topic shifts to something you’re passionate about, and you start sharing your thoughts. But before you can even finish, someone interrupts and takes over the conversation.

Does this scenario sound familiar?

People who think they’re superior have a tendency to monopolize conversations. They speak more than they listen, often disregarding others’ input. It’s as though they believe their thoughts and opinions are more important, more worthy of being heard.

Ask yourself: does this person give me space to express myself? Or do they often cut me off and dominate the conversation?

Remember, a healthy conversation is a two-way street. If someone consistently monopolizes the conversation, it might be because they think they’re above you.

8) They seem indifferent to your struggles

I remember an instance from my past when I was going through a particularly tough time. I confided in a friend about the challenges I was facing, expecting understanding and support.

But instead of empathy, all I received was indifference. They didn’t seem to care about my struggles, almost as if they were trivial or unimportant.

This indifference was more hurtful than any direct insult could ever be.

People who think they’re superior often exhibit this kind of indifference towards others’ struggles. They might brush off your problems as insignificant or fail to offer any kind of support or empathy.

This lack of concern for your struggles is a clear sign that they don’t value you as an equal. After all, why would they care about the problems of someone they consider beneath them?

Remember, we all have our own battles to fight, and everyone deserves empathy and understanding in their struggles. If someone can’t offer you that, it’s more about their perceived superiority than your worth.

9) They rarely, if ever, apologize

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, people who think they’re superior often have trouble apologizing.

Admitting fault or wrongdoing requires humility – a quality that clashes with their belief of superiority. To them, apologizing might feel like lowering their status, something they’re not willing to do.

So, they might avoid apologizing altogether or offer insincere apologies when they have no other choice.

If you find that someone rarely, if ever, sincerely apologizes to you, it could be a clear sign that they perceive themselves as above you.

Recognizing these behaviors is the first step towards addressing them. Remember, you deserve respect and consideration in all your interactions. And no one has the right to make you feel inferior.

So, what’s next?

Recognizing these behaviors is just the first step. The crucial part is deciding on how to deal with such individuals. Here are a few suggestions:

• Maintain your self-respect: Don’t let anyone’s perceived superiority affect your self-worth.
• Set clear boundaries: You have the right to express your feelings and opinions without fear of belittlement or dismissal.
• Seek support: If these behaviors are causing distress, don’t hesitate to seek help from a trusted friend, family member, or professional.

Remember, everyone deserves respect in their interactions. If someone consistently exhibits these behaviors towards you, it’s a reflection of their insecurities and need for superiority, not of your worth.

As you navigate through your social interactions, keep these signs in mind. Reflect on them. And most importantly, remember that no one has the right to make you feel beneath them. You are valuable just as you are.