We all want to be surrounded by people who genuinely like and respect us, but sometimes, that isn’t the case. While some individuals are skilled at masking their true feelings, others may struggle to conceal their dislike. If you suspect that someone harbours negative feelings towards you but isn’t being open about it, here are 5 tell-tale signs to watch out for:
- Their smile never reaches their eyes
A genuine smile is usually accompanied by warmth in the eyes, often referred to as “smiling with the eyes”. If someone regularly gives you forced or tight-lipped smiles, with no real emotion in their eyes, it may indicate that their friendliness is insincere. Their expressions might seem rehearsed, or they may drop the smile quickly once they think you’re not looking.
- They give you short, dismissive responses
When someone dislikes you but is trying to hide it, their conversations with you might feel stilted or one-sided. They may avoid engaging in meaningful discussions, offering only the bare minimum in response to your questions. If their replies are frequently short, vague, or dismissive especially when they engage more freely with others. It could be a sign of concealed animosity.
- They avoid eye contact or overcompensate
People who secretly dislike you may unconsciously avoid looking directly at you. They might shift their gaze quickly, focus on their phone, or look at others when you’re speaking. Conversely, some may overcompensate by making exaggerated or prolonged eye contact, almost as if they’re trying too hard to appear unaffected. Both extremes can suggest discomfort or an attempt to mask their true feelings.
- Their body language betrays them
Non-verbal cues often reveal more than words. Someone who dislikes you might unconsciously display closed-off body language: crossed arms, leaning away from you, or pointing their feet towards an exit when you’re talking. They may also exhibit microexpressions of annoyance, such as pursed lips, an eye roll they try to suppress, or a brief flash of irritation before they regain composure.
- They exclude you or minimise interaction
If someone consistently overlooks you in group settings, fails to acknowledge your contributions, or conveniently forgets to invite you to social gatherings, it may indicate underlying dislike. While they may not openly exclude you, subtle actions such as addressing everyone in a group except you or making inside jokes that you’re left out of can signal their true feelings.
While these signs may indicate that someone is struggling to hide their dislike for you, it’s important to consider context. Not everyone who exhibits these behaviours dislikes you; some may simply be shy, preoccupied, or socially awkward.