Basic social skills used to be pretty easy to come by, but that seems not to be the case these days.
Some people just seem to struggle—sometimes hilariously—with the basics of interacting with their fellow human beings. Whether it’s an awkward comment or a complete lack of awareness, these incidents tend to be a mix of endearing and cringe-worthy. Here are some of the more cringeworthy signs someone’s social skills might need a little work.
1. They interrupt constantly without realising it.
Conversations are supposed to be a two-way street, but some people treat them more like a one-man show. Interrupting people mid-sentence, they steamroll conversations with their thoughts, oblivious to the annoyed expressions around them. It’s like they’ve never heard of the concept of taking turns.
2. They overshare within the first five minutes.
Meeting someone new? Great! But jumping straight into your deepest secrets or most embarrassing moments is not the way to build rapport. Socially challenged individuals often skip small talk entirely and dive into, “So I had this weird rash…” territory before you’ve even exchanged names properly.
3. They can’t read the room.
If someone tells a joke about office politics at a family gathering—or worse, brings up exes at a wedding toast—you’ve found someone whose radar for social context is way off. Reading the room is an art, and for some, it’s an art they’ve never attempted.
4. They’re oblivious to body language.
Leaning back, avoiding eye contact, or subtly inching away? These are clear signals to most people, but not to someone whose social skills are MIA. They’ll keep chatting away, blissfully unaware that you’re trying to escape the conversation without being rude.
5. They dominate conversations with monologues.
Conversations are supposed to be a dialogue, but some people turn every chat into a TED Talk about their favourite subject (usually themselves). They don’t pause to ask questions, making it less a conversation and more a captive audience experience.
6. They laugh at the wrong moments.
Imagine sharing a heartfelt story about your childhood dog, and the person across from you bursts out laughing. For some, their inability to gauge emotional tones means they react awkwardly, leaving everyone else wondering if they missed the joke—or the point entirely.
7. They respond to texts with essays or one-word answers.
Balance is key in texting, but socially unskilled individuals either send a 300-word novel or reply with a flat “ok.” Both responses scream, “I have no idea how to keep this conversation flowing.” Texting etiquette is apparently an enigma to them.
8. They never seem to know when to leave.
Goodbyes can be awkward, but some people take it to a whole new level by overstaying their welcome. Whether it’s lingering at a party when the host is cleaning up or continuing a work chat long after everyone else has logged off, their timing is consistently off.
9. They constantly humblebrag—or just brag outright.
Socially savvy people know how to slip in their achievements without sounding like they’re showing off. Those lacking social skills, however, either disguise their bragging with lines like, “I just hate how people keep complimenting my cooking,” or skip the disguise altogether. Subtlety? Never heard of it.
10. They fail to reciprocate basic social courtesies.
If you say “hello” and they reply with a blank stare—or worse, launch into a complaint about their morning—you’re probably dealing with someone whose social skills are on a permanent holiday. These small lapses in politeness make every interaction just a little more awkward.
11. They oversell their jokes—or explain them.
A well-timed joke can break the ice, but some people just don’t know when to let a punchline land. Whether they overhype their wit with, “This one’s hilarious, you’re going to love it,” or explain the joke afterward, they successfully suck the fun out of humour.
12. They can’t handle awkward silences.
While most people can sit comfortably through a brief lull in conversation, socially awkward folks rush to fill the void—often with the first random thought that pops into their head. The result? A monologue about hedge trimmers or a completely unrelated fact about otters.
13. They can’t accept compliments graciously.
“Nice shirt!” you say, and they reply, “Oh, this? It’s ancient, and it doesn’t even fit properly.” Instead of a simple “thank you,” they deflect or dismiss compliments in a way that leaves everyone feeling a little weird. Accepting praise seems to be a foreign concept.
14. They oversimplify or condescend during conversations.
Whether it’s explaining something you already know or acting as if you’re clueless, people with poor social skills often come across as unintentionally patronising. You might find yourself nodding along, wondering how they missed the fact that you’re an expert on the topic.
15. They struggle with group dynamics.
In groups, they either dominate the discussion, ignore the flow of conversation entirely, or fade into the background without contributing at all. Finding the balance between participating and letting other people is a skill that seems just out of reach for them.
