Fake people can be extremely difficult to spot at the start of any relationship. They know what to say, how to behave and come across as friendly and approachable. But eventually their mask slips and their true nature reveals itself. We asked around from several people and compiled a list. So here are 13 signs that will help you identify when someone is faking it.
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Only around when it benefits them
If they only contact you when they need something or when you’ve got something exciting going on, then you should be wary. A true friend will be there to celebrate your successes, but also during your hard times. Fake people will flit away the second you are no longer of use to them.
Talking behind your back
One of the clearest signs of fake behavior is when someone is sweet to your face but cruel behind your back. If you catch wind of them gossiping or tearing you down to others, you can bet their kindness isn’t genuine.
Copying others to fit in
Fake people often don’t have a personality of their own, so they’ll just absorb the personalities of those around them. This means that they’re much more likely to agree with someone else’s opinions and change who they are depending on who’s around.
Exaggerating emotions
The way a fake person might “react” to something that’s good or bad is often one of the first things you notice. They might be too overjoyed or too saddened by something small. This reaction doesn’t quite sound natural or seems too dramatic.
Jealousy disguised as support
A lot of fake people will say the right thing at the right time but it won’t sound genuine. They will pretend to be happy for you but it will always be clear they are jealous. Deep down, they’re envious, and it leaks through no matter how hard they try to hide it.
Dodging deep conversations
Deep or personal topics make fakers very uncomfortable. They don’t want to open up or get close so they avoid serious conversations. They only want to talk about superficial things. This will become clearer the more you spend time with them.
Sudden mood shifts
Fake people often go from 0-100 very quickly. One moment they are glowing and upbeat and the next moment they are cold and distant. It happens because they can’t fake it for very long; their true emotions leak out.
Overpromising and underdelivering
Fake people often make big promises to win others over. They’ll swear they’ll help you, show up, or follow through on something important. But when the time comes, they’re nowhere to be found.
Treating people differently based on status
Pay attention to the way that they treat certain people compared to others. Fake people will be nice around people that they perceive to be important but will be utterly dismissive of those they see as beneath them.
Hidden insults delivered “as a joke”
Fake people will often insult you while pretending it’s all “a joke.” They might laugh it off or tell you to “take it less seriously!” after you confront them. Regardless of their tactics, you’ll gradually begin to see who they truly are without the sugarcoating.
Energy that feels “off”
You know how sometimes you can’t put your finger on why but something just doesn’t feel right? That’s the gut instinct coming into play. Their words might be perfectly nice, yet your gut tells you they’re not being real. Trust that instinct: your intuition often picks up on things your mind can’t explain.
Inconsistent stories
If a person is not being real, then they will have trouble keeping their stories straight. A week after they told you something, they will come back with a completely different version of what happened. If you start noticing little details that don’t add up, that’s a big red flag.
Flattery that feels forced
Genuine compliments feel warm and natural, but fake people tend to go overboard. It might be too much or too little, overly emotional, or poorly timed. It’s also easy to feel like they’re reading from a script when they say these things.
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