If Fake People Make You Physically Uncomfortable To Be Around, You Likely Have These 10 Rare Traits
Milan Ilic Photographer | ShutterstockEvery once in a while, you may come across someone who hasn't done anything specific to you or to anyone else around you, but for some reason their presence makes you feel a bit uneasy. Suddenly, you want to leave their company but you can't quite pinpoint why. All you know is that everything they say doesn't feel real and they seemingly have a bit of a fake persona. They might be nice, constantly saying the right thing, but if fake people make you physically uncomfortable to be around, you likely have certain rare traits.
Sometimes that discomfort isn't judgment at all, though; rather, it's your body picking up on something you aren't able to put into words quite yet. After all, our gut instincts, whether it's about people, certain places, or even a specific thing, can help guide us faster and make more accurate decisions. So, not only do you have a strong intuition, but you're also a much more observant person than those around you. These traits, and others, are the reason why you're incredibly perceptive and can pick up on someone's energy the second you meet them.
If fake people make you physically uncomfortable to be around, you likely have these 10 rare traits
1. Strong authenticity radar
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You aren't just able to notice when someone is being fake, you actually feel it physically. Before your mind can even put words to their behavior, your body instantly picks up on it. It's not like you're catching the other person lying or acting horribly to someone else. It's more about picking up on how sometimes their tone doesn't always match their words or how it feels forced for them to act a certain way.
Research published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people perceive "impulsive actions as more authentic for others... but self-control as more authentic for themselves." You notice all of that, and it's why you tend to distance yourself from people that just don't feel honest.
The best part about having a radar for authentic and inauthentic people is that it helps you weed out those that actually do have good intentions. When someone feels real, you know immediately that you're able to connect with them.
2. You feel awkward accepting fake kindness
Someone might be saying something or doing something thoughtful for you, but if it doesn't feel genuine you have a hard time accepting it. You might smile and thank the person, but inside you feel deeply and physically uncomfortable. A lot of that is because you're able to pick up on a person's intentions. You can usually tell when a kind gesture is coming from a place of them wanting to actually help you and do something to put a smile on your face.
Rather than leaning into every bit of attention you're getting from others, you tend to be picky because you know not everyone has the best intentions. It's not that you're trying to be cold or dismissive, it's just that you're not going to give someone your energy if you can tell they're not giving you theirs.
3. You notice when apologies don't feel real
Since your intuition is usually quite high, you can sense a lot about someone, especially whether or not they're sincere with an apology. Even if the situation at hand was minor, a hollow apology can make you instantly wary about someone. If someone will repeatedly apologize without changing their behavior, that stands out like a sore thumb.
You're not expecting them to suddenly be a perfect person, but you are looking for a bit of effort in changed behavior. The lack of authenticity when someone claims they're sorry but doesn't seem to follow through makes it hard for you to fully believe anything they say or do, which also makes you feel physically uncomfortable being around them.
4. You're deeply intuitive about people's intentions
You have the ability of being able to walk into a conversation and pick up on more than what's actually being said. Even when someone seems perfectly nice, you can tell whether there is actual sincerity behind it or not. While other people might just focus on the words, you're able to read underneath them.
"Although intuition should not be the only basis for which decisions are made, learning to trust your 'gut feelings' can be a useful tool and valuable complement to rational thinking and critical analysis," psychologist Kisha Braithwaite and wellness expert M.B. Gooden explained.
You can tell when someone is being kind because they genuinely want to versus someone who is just being kind because they want something in return. A lot of that comes from the fact that you're constantly observing people. If someone is acting one way in public but another way in private, you're able to notice immediately.
5. You don't feel the need to call people out
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You notice when someone is being fake, but you aren't necessarily compelled to confront it every time. It's about choosing where to put your energy, and sometimes certain people just aren't worth the extra energy it will take to call them out. On top of that, they might not even be willing to hear it. So, instead of having an actual reaction, you process it internally and move accordingly in their presence.
There isn't any kind of dramatic fallout or anything like that. You just know who you can trust wholeheartedly in your life and who you might have to be extra cautious around. You keep track of how people move without feeling the need to make it into some big, over-the-top scene.
6. You value emotional honesty
You're not the type of person to say something just because it will help keep the mood light and not bring in any kind of tension. If something feels off or forced, you'll rarely ever just smile and go along with it, despite being physically uncomfortable around that person. Even when you're staying quiet, there's still this feeling inside that hates having to pretend everything is fine. For you, you're someone that truly does value emotional honesty.
Engaging in conversations that feel too polished doesn't make you feel like you can relax. It's not that you want conflict, you just want to be able to have sincere interactions with people. After all, honesty can always benefit relationships, even when the truth can sometimes hurt. You'd much rather deal with awkward silences than actually be part of something that feels fake.
7. You avoid people who gossip a lot
You can usually sense when someone enjoys talking down to others, especially as a way to make themselves feel good. Being around people who love to gossip negatively about others makes you feel wildly uncomfortable. People who are consistently talking about others behind their backs usually reveal parts of their personality that you can't get behind.
It's a red flag that they might not be as trustworthy with your own personal information if you were to ever confide in them. It can feel emotionally draining to be around people who have nothing better to do then negatively speak about others when they're not in the room to defend or speak up for themselves. You'd much rather surround yourself with people who value important things.
8. You crave depth and meaning
You're never satisfied with conversations that just stay surface-level all the time. Even when you try to keep things light, there's still part of you that is looking for something with more substance. It's not about always wanting to be engaged in intense discussions, you just want something that feels genuine with equally genuine people. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that those who engage in deeper conversations were much happier than those who spent a greater amount of time engaging in solely small talk with others.
You don't mind small talk in passing, but you can only stay in it for so long before you become bored. You're the type of person that enjoys asking questions that allow both you and the person you're interacting with to go deeper. You want to be able to understand people, not just exchange basic pleasantries with them.
9. You notice when people copy others for approval
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Because fake people make you physically uncomfortable to be around, you can instantly pick up on a person making a deliberate attempt to copy behavior just so they can fit in and gain approval. When someone is mirroring others, it directly clashes with the kind of energy you value in someone. You can immediately sense the difference between someone finding inspiration from others and someone who feels uncomfortable being their true, authentic self because they worry if people will accept and approve of them.
You're someone who is unapologetically themselves in every single room you enter. It's because you don't need validation from others to be content and secure. It's a trait that you enjoy in other people, which is why you find people who give off the opposite vibe a bit jarring.
10. You trust your discomfort
That uneasy feeling you get around people isn't random at all. Once you learn to trust and accept it, it becomes your superpower. You're able to start noticing patterns that you may have once been completely oblivious to. Those feelings are your way of being able to sense energy that either aligns or doesn't align with your own.
"Though intuition is not always accurate, studies have indicated that by using both gut feelings and analytical thinking at the same time, your decisions are quicker, better, and more accurate than they would be if you left your intuition out of it," encouraged licensed social worker Melody Wilding.
Trusting your discomfort means you're able to sift out the people you genuinely want to be around and the people that you couldn't be bothered with. Instead of forcing yourself to stay in uncomfortable situations, you're able to actually take a step back and remove yourself. You're simply honoring what your gut is trying to tell you.
Nia Tipton is a staff writer with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and journalism who covers news and lifestyle topics that focus on psychology, relationships, and the human experience.
