Hypocrites are like poison – the more of their nonsense you take in, the more mentally and emotionally sick you get. Before you know it, you become self-conscious, inferior, and insecure. You feel like someone is constantly judging you and that you can never live up to their expectations.
The good news: there are warning signs! Follow these and you’ll never fall victim to a hypocrite’s poison again.
1. They Only Respect Those With Power
Hypocritical people love to suck up. And chances are you’ve seen this in action at your workplace. The same person who smiles and compliments your boss will lower his nose at you or maybe even the cleaning crew. A sincere person pays their respects to everyone, regardless of their position in life or what that person can do for them.2. They Criticize Others Who Look Better Than Them
Hypocritical people are usually insecure. So instead of complimenting someone they perceive looks better than them, they feel threatened and demean them. Think Regina George from Mean Girls. “I love your sweater….” (then aside: “That sweater is hideous.”) Sincere people, on the other hand, are confident in themselves and admire another person’s fashion.
3. They. Never. Stop. Gossiping.
Research shows people who gossip are generally not happy with themselves and high have levels of anxiety. To combat this, hypocrites gossip to feel superior, to lift themselves up temporarily by dragging others down. However, sincere people don’t gossip; they simply express their opinion, without malice. This is because they have a healthy self-esteem.4. They Help People Only When It’s Profitable For Them
Hypocritical people are always thinking of themselves, first and foremost. If they think they can benefit from a situation, they will jump in, no questions asked, and then expect payment (monetary or other) in return. Sincere people help others because they want to. They don’t expect payment of any kind; they enjoy the simple gratification of helping others in need.5. They Try So Hard to Get Attention
If a hypocritical person they have achieved something, they will make sure the whole world knows about it. This is because hypocrites crave attention and validation from others, due to the fact that they haven’t learn how to cultivate it for themselves. You may or may not have seen these types of people on social media, parading around their “perfect” lives. On the flip side, sincere people only care about what they and their loved ones think. They don’t need attention or validation from anyone else.