18 Classic Narcissistic Behaviors in Talk and How to Counteract Them

Narcissistic individuals exhibit distinct conversational patterns that can be demanding to manage. Their dialogues often center on themselves, demonstrating a noticeable absence of empathy or consideration for others’ viewpoints. Here are 18 common conversational characteristics of highly narcissistic people and practical advice on responding to them:

They Make Everything About Them

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Highly narcissistic people are masters of conversation deflection. If you try to talk about yourself or your interests, they will quickly find a way to turn the conversation back to themselves. They may even start telling stories about themselves that are only tangentially related to what you were talking about. To counteract this, steer the conversation back to the original topic or politely excuse yourself if the conversation becomes too one-sided.

They Are Constantly Fishing for Compliments

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Highly narcissistic people crave attention and validation, and they are always looking for ways to boost their self-esteem. They may ask you for compliments directly or drop subtle hints that they hope you will pick up on. Avoid providing excessive compliments, as this may reinforce their self-centeredness.

They Never Apologize

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Highly narcissistic people have an inflated sense of their importance, and they believe that they are always right. As a result, they are never willing to admit that they have made a mistake or hurt someone’s feelings.

They Love to Gossip

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Highly narcissistic people are often fascinated by the lives of others, and they love to collect dirt on them. They may use this information to spread rumors or to make others feel bad about themselves.

They Never Take Responsibility for Their Actions

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Highly narcissistic people constantly make excuses for their behavior. They may blame others or claim that they were kidding around. Remain calm and assertive, gently redirecting the conversation to address the issue.

They are Always Trying to One-up You

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Highly narcissistic people are competitive and consistently trying to prove that they are better than others. They may try to one-up you by telling stories about their accomplishments or criticizing your shortcomings.

They Are Always Interrupting

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Highly narcissistic people have no respect for other people’s time or opinions. They may interrupt you when you are talking, or they may talk over you completely. Use nonverbal cues (such as maintaining eye contact and nodding) to show respect when others speak.

They Are Always Looking To Be the Center of Attention

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Highly narcissistic people thrive on attention, and they will do whatever it takes to be the center of it. They may be loud and boisterous, or they may be subtly manipulative.

They Are Always Asking For Favors

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Highly selfish people are always taking advantage of others. They may ask you for favors, or they may borrow money from you without ever intending to pay you back.

They Are Never Grateful

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Highly narcissistic people take everything for granted, and they never express gratitude for the things that others do for them.

They Are Always Criticizing Others

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Highly narcissistic people always find something to criticize about others. They may judge your appearance, your taste in music, or your choice of words. Avoid taking their criticism personally and focus on maintaining your self-worth.

They Are Always Making Assumptions About Others

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Highly narcissistic people are quick to judge others, and they often make assumptions about their motives without any basis.

They Are Always Trying to Control Others

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Highly narcissistic people need to control everything and everyone around them. They may try to dictate your behavior or use emotional blackmail to get you to do what they want.

They Are Always the Victim

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Highly narcissistic people always play the victim. They may complain about how everyone is always picking on them, or they may make excuses for their behavior by blaming their upbringing or their past experiences. Avoid getting drawn into their self-pity; offer support and encouragement without enabling their behavior.

They Are Always Lying

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Highly narcissistic people are pathological liars. These individuals may lie to maintain their inflated self-image or avoid accountability. Maintain clear communication and avoid making assumptions based on their claims.

They Are Always Breaking Promises

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Highly selfish people cannot be trusted to keep their promises. They may break promises because they are forgetful, or they may break promises because they don’t care. Maintain patience and understanding, offering constructive feedback when appropriate.

Lack of Empathy

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Narcissistic individuals often struggle to empathize with others, failing to recognize or acknowledge the feelings and perspectives of those around them. Respond with empathy and understanding, even if their actions or words seem insensitive.

Emotional Blackmail

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Narcissistic individuals may manipulate others through emotional blackmail, using guilt or fear to control behavior. Recognize their manipulative tactics and firmly assert your boundaries. Remember, dealing with narcissistic individuals can be challenging, but it’s essential to prioritize your well-being.

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