If you’ve ever talked to someone who thought they were God’s gift to the world of social interaction, you know how obnoxious it (and they) can be.
It’s good to feel self-assured and lead with confidence, but people who believe they’ve got charm to spare often overestimate their abilities. Instead of coming off as personable, accessible, and interesting, they just end up seeming kinda sad and a bit cringe. Here are some things people like this tend to pepper into nearly every conversation they have — these phrases tend to give them away immediately.
1. “I’m brutally honest.”
This is their favourite prelude to saying something unnecessarily harsh. They’ll act like it’s some kind of virtue, but what they’re really doing is excusing bad manners. Honesty doesn’t need to hurt, but they seem to think their bluntness makes them brave or clever. In reality, it just makes everyone want to avoid talking to them.
2. “Not to be rude, but…”
You already know whatever they’re about to say is going to be rude. They love pretending this line softens the blow, but all it does is make their comment even more irritating. If they really cared about not being rude, they’d just phrase things better or keep their thoughts to themselves.
3. “I’m not like other girls/guys.”
This is their go-to when they’re trying to stand out, but it usually highlights how out of touch they are. They’ll list traits that aren’t remotely unique, as if liking music or having a sense of humour makes them special. It’s their way of saying, “Please notice how different I am,” but all it does is make them sound desperate for attention.
4. “I’m just speaking my truth.”
They’ll say this right before launching into an unsolicited opinion no one asked for. It’s less about sharing their truth and more about justifying why they’re being self-indulgent. If someone disagrees with them, they’ll double down, acting like they’re misunderstood rather than considering that maybe their “truth” didn’t need to be said out loud.
5. “Living my best life.”
You’ll usually hear this after they’ve posted an over-filtered selfie or shown off something completely mundane. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying life, announcing it every five seconds feels like they’re trying to convince everyone—including themselves—that their life is better than it is. Real joy doesn’t need constant narration.
6. “I don’t do drama.”
This is their way of claiming the moral high ground, but ironically, they’re usually the biggest source of drama in any situation. They’ll stir the pot, gossip, or start arguments, all while insisting they hate the very chaos they’re creating. Genuine peacekeepers don’t need to advertise it—they just stay out of the mess.
7. “Just saying…”
They love throwing this in after a passive-aggressive comment, as if it absolves them of responsibility for what they’ve just said. It’s not clever or charming; it’s an attempt to have the last word without being held accountable. It’s the conversational equivalent of an awkward shrug.
8. “You can’t handle this.”
This is their way of trying to sound mysterious or special, but it usually comes off as exhausting. They’ll act like they’re too much for most people, but the truth is, they’re just making things harder than they need to be. Instead of being intriguing, they end up sounding like unnecessary work.
9. “I tell it like it is.”
What they really mean is, “I say whatever I want, and I don’t care how it affects anyone else.” They’ll act like their bluntness is a badge of honour, but it’s usually just an excuse for being inconsiderate. Thoughtfulness and empathy are far more attractive than trying to bulldoze people with opinions.
10. “I’m kind of a big deal.”
Whether it’s said as a joke or not, it’s a clear sign they’re overcompensating. They’ll name-drop, brag about their job, or talk endlessly about their social media stats, all in an attempt to seem important. People with real substance don’t need to declare it—it’s obvious in how they carry themselves.
11. “No offence, but…”
This is just a prelude to something offensive. They’ll say it like they’re softening the blow, but it’s usually their way of saying something rude while pretending to be polite. Most people would rather they skip the disclaimer and just not say the thing at all.
12. “I’m an alpha.”
Declaring themselves “an alpha” is their way of trying to sound powerful or authoritative, but it just comes across as cringeworthy. True leaders don’t need to announce their dominance—it’s reflected in how they act and how they treat people. The louder someone shouts about being in charge, the less likely it is they actually are.
13. “You should smile more.”
They think this makes them sound charming, but it’s patronising at best and downright rude at worst. Telling someone to change their expression, especially unprompted, is invasive and unnecessary. If they really wanted to see more smiles, they’d try being genuinely kind or funny instead.
14. “I’m an acquired taste.”
This is their pre-emptive excuse for behaviour they’re not willing to work on. They’ll use it to justify being unpleasant or difficult, as if everyone else just needs to “get used to” them. It’s not quirky or endearing—it’s an excuse to avoid personal growth.
15. “I’m just being real.”
They’ll say this as a cover for being unnecessarily harsh or unfiltered. While there’s nothing wrong with being genuine, using “realness” as a shield to avoid accountability is anything but charming. Authenticity works best when paired with a little self-awareness and a lot of kindness.
16. “That’s just who I am.”
This is their way of shutting down any conversation about change or improvement. Instead of acknowledging that there’s always room to grow, they’ll insist they’re fine as they are, flaws and all. Self-acceptance is great, but refusing to evolve or take responsibility for how they affect people isn’t exactly winning anyone over.
