Have you ever been left feeling uncomfortable after a conversation with someone, even though they seemed friendly and approachable? Psychology has also shown that specific phrases are frequently used by faking people to hide their real motives. These red flags in language will help you identify insincerity before it ruins your relationships..
Studies indicate that nearly 43 percent of Americans confess to lying to some degree in their personal lives, and it is evident that deceit is more prevalent than we are all too ready to acknowledge. Being aware of these trends will help keep your emotional health safe and serve as a buffer to form more genuine relationships.
I’m just being honest
This saying serves as a shield for humans who would like to pass judgment on others in a cruel manner without being held accountable for their actions. When one utters this, he or she is on the verge of uttering something inhuman under the excuse of being honest.
According to Psychology Today, the false relationships only take advantage of the other partner instead of improving him/her. People are made by honesty, and this weaponized kind of honesty destroys them. When a person has to proclaim their honesty, they are likely to be anything but that.
No offense, but
Here comes trouble. This expression indicates that the speaker is aware of what he or she is about to say, and he or she is not willing to bear the consequences of such hurt.
According to research conducted by Boldside Consultancy, a significant distinction exists between constructive feedback and criticism. Feedback is constructive because it strengthens you, and it is solution-oriented, whereas criticism devastates you and criticizes your personality.
Whenever a person uses the phrase ‘no offense,’ they are often opting to criticize rather than offer constructive criticism.
Trust me, I never lie
Those who really tell the truth do not have to keep shouting it all the time. This is a standard warning that, in fact, the opposite is the case. Fake individuals often exploit it to gain your trust.
Then they can use this trust to gather sensitive information or even lower your defenses. Genuine trust develops over time through repeated actions, rather than through repeated declarations of honesty.
I hate drama
Watch out for individuals who often claim they hate drama, yet somehow always seem to be at the center of one. You can think and act as if you really avoid conflict, and you can discuss how much you hate being in conflict all the time.
Experiments indicate that individuals who desire to live peaceful lives actually take real action to ensure that the environmental conditions are calm. Individuals who claim to dislike drama often have a thriving business based on the very mess they are supposed to be indifferent to.
I don’t usually say this, but
Language scholars refer to such phrases as qualifiers; they are expected to mitigate the following item, yet in fact, they often portray deception. James W. Pennebaker of the University of Texas at Austin explains that these phrases typically indicate that the speaker is doing something they usually do not do.
When one is forced to preface his/her statement in this manner, then most likely he/she is about to utter something he/she utters regularly, just in a more painful manner than usual.
I’m always right
This is a phrase used by an intellectually humble person who lacks intellectual acumen. Professors of the Humanities Institute at the University of Connecticut define intellectual humility as the ability to acknowledge one’s own cognitive incompetence and to accept other points of view.
Individuals who claim they are never wrong cannot have a meaningful conversation, as they have already determined that they have nothing to learn from you.
I’m not like everyone else
It is a manipulative tool that gives a false impression of a special connection. Fake individuals utilize this expression to make you feel that you are preferred or special to them.
Psychologists caution that this is usually a red flag to manipulation. A really different person does not have to make any proclamations – their behavior speaks volumes.
I didn’t mean to hurt you
This phrase causes, instead of making a genuine apology, to shift the blame onto your feelings rather than accepting the negative actions. It is a traditional form of non-apology often applied by those seeking to escape real responsibility.
The empathy that matters is being able to take ownership of your influence on others, not just your intentions. When a person dwells on what they want others to think they mean, rather than what they have done, they are not being candidly responsible.
Don’t take everything so personally
This derogatory term is used to confuse your own viable emotional responses. Individuals often use this to evade the consequences of their wrongdoing.
It is a form of reversing the script. As the rational reaction to maltreatment, it turns into your issue to deal with, instead of the problem of dealing with their unbecoming behavior.
I didn’t say that
This is one of the most common methods of gaslighting, which distorts reality and prompts you to doubt your memory and perception. Psychologist Joanne Brothwell defines gaslighting as conflict-based psychological manipulation that causes one to question oneself.
When a person outright denies having said something that you distinctly recall them saying, he is trying to rewrite history so that he does not have to be held to account.
Just to play devil’s advocate
This is often employed to conceal mindless thought as intellectual inquiry, so that the faker may pass off contrarian ideas as open-minded.
This is not honest intellectual exploration, but instead, typically a method of disagreeing or attacking what you have said, only to sound reasonable.
To be honest
A study performed by Geiger and his colleagues reveals that individuals who regularly use such claims as to be honest are usually attempting to communicate disingenuously. When an individual has to declare their honesty more than once, it is an indication that they may not be entirely truthful.
There is no need for a real person to continually check their integrity; it is evident in their behavior.
Key takeaway
These expressions disclose significant trends in fake communication. They manipulate trust, evade responsibility, dominate conversations, and present themselves as reasonable or caring through their language.
The good news? By being aware of such patterns, you can then use more genuine relationships more effectively when you are not being manipulated. Not only should you pay attention to what people say, but also whether they can act on what they say over time.
Note that non-performing individuals do not always have to proclaim their good values; they demonstrate them by behaving consistently and reasonably. Your gut has to tell you when something is wrong, and you must not be made to question your experiences by the use of some manipulative words.
Disclaimer–This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
7 morning rituals women swear by for more energy and confidence
7 Morning Rituals Women Swear By for More Energy and Confidence
Morning rituals don’t have to be complicated. A glass of water, a quick stretch, five minutes with your journal — these small things stack up to create significant change. Women who build these habits aren’t just “morning people”; they’re people who decided to take charge of their first hour of the day.
10 real things men confess they hate about other men
10 Real Things Men Confess They Hate About Other Men
It’s no surprise that women complain about men’s bad behavior. However, I was surprised to see an online forum where men admitted traits they couldn’t stand about their gender.
The samples of lousy behavior they listed ranged widely, but there seemed to be general agreement. Do you agree that men should change these common behaviors?
