Communication is undeniably significant as it is how people connect and understand each other. Lack of communication can lead to many misunderstandings and problems. In this day and age, Gen Z is more outspoken and expressive than the older generations as they are exposed to a wealth of information from a young age. As a result, they are more concerned about what others think of them. Hence, this article will delve into the depths of signs that indicate someone dislikes you and how to avoid being disliked by others.
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Let's start off by talking about the signs. Here are some indications that someone does not like you.
1. Negative body language
If someone is constantly showing negative body language towards you, it is obvious that they do not like you. Some examples are sitting with their feet pointed away from you, crossing their arms, pursing lips and rolling eyes. According to Pannell, 2017 (quoted by Steven Keyl, 2017), people’s feet will always point away from things they do not desire. Hence, their feet will point away if they are not interested in us or our conversation. Instead, their feet will point to someone they like or the nearest exit.
When someone is crossing their arm, it could represent different meanings. However, the upper arms are the key area to look for. As cited from Science of People, 2021 (quoted by Driver, J. & van Aalst, M, 2011), if the person keeps their upper arms close to their body and only extends their arms out at the elbows, they are probably not happy to meet you. Furthermore, if someone constantly purses their lips and rolls their eyes when speaking to you, it indicates that they are annoyed with you.
2. Too little/too much eye contact
Eye contact is another important aspect of communication as it is part of the body language that can help you express your feelings. Hence, excessive or lack of eye contact between two people is not normal. When someone moves their gaze away from you when you look at them, or when they do not look at you while talking, there is a high possibility that person does not like you.
On the other hand, if someone stares at you all the time, to the point where you feel uneasy, it could mean they dislike you as well. Despite the fact that the actions mentioned above are considered disrespectful, they continue to treat you in this manner, proving that they are uninterested and unconcerned about you.
3. They seem forced
Another sign that someone dislikes you is when they appear to be forced to deal with matters concerning you. They will usually put on a fake smile, and when requested to do something related to you, they will not appear to be willing to do so. They will initially be hesitant or dismissive of the request.
Furthermore, they rarely interact with you. They will only talk to you if you are in a group, if there is no one else around, or if they require help. Even so, they will keep their points short and to the point, and they will not delve deeper into other topics. Lastly, they will always respond to your questions with one-word answers such as "sure," "no," "fine," “okay,” and so on.
4. There will always be a gap between you and them
If you notice that there is always a gap that exists between you and your friend, this is another sign that they dislike you. Some examples include that it is easy to become awkward when spending time with them, and they frequently abandon you. They are always busy when it comes to making plans with you, but they always have time for others. They will also avoid making physical contact with you. Someone who dislikes you will not sit close to you and will barely touch you.
5. You have a gut feeling about it.
Trust your instincts if you have a feeling that someone dislikes you. If someone truly dislikes you, they will show it without hesitation so that you are aware of it. An example is that they will stop talking when you approach them. They are doing this to encourage you to leave them on your own.
Now that you have learned some signs that someone dislikes you, here are some pointers on how to avoid being disliked.
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1. Start from yourself
If you want others to treat you well, you should first treat them well because there is no such thing as a free lunch. Always be trustworthy and honest with others, and remember to keep your promises.
2. Be more understanding
Try to be more understanding when dealing with others. Give more positive comments than negative comments because they help to cheer people up. Encourage more, criticize less. For instance, instead of criticizing someone who is self-conscious about their appearance, say something like, "you look beautiful in your own unique way."
In other words, think before you speak, and try to rephrase your sentences in a more effective manner. Remember to also lend a helping hand to others who are in need. People will appreciate your help and will be willing to assist you again in the future.
3. Be careful with the facial expression
As we all know, facial expressions are very important as they indicate how a person is feeling. Remember to smile more frequently because putting on a poker face can make others feel uneasy. They will perceive you as unfriendly and will avoid interacting with you.
If you have a bad habit of rolling your eyes, you must be extra careful. Avoid rolling your eyes or making ironic facial expressions, as these can be offensive at times. If you roll your eyes at an inappropriate situation, you will quickly find yourself in hot water.
4. Be more observant
Stop what you are doing if you notice someone becoming frustrated or annoyed by what you're doing. You do not want to annoy people any further. Be more aware of why and what others dislike about you, and try not to repeat it.
If you suspect something is wrong but don't know what happened, ask your friends why. Instead of doing nothing, take the initiative to determine the source of the problem.
5. Knows how to balance
When it comes to treating people, you should never lose sight of the importance of balance. Do not be too nice or too mean because neither is good. There are times when you should be strict, and other times when you should be lenient.
The same is true for communication; talking too much or too little can be annoying. People will be irritated if you talk too much, but they will struggle to understand you if you talk too little. All in all, you must understand where the balance is.
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That was all about the signs that someone hated you and what you could do to avoid it. However, all of the advice given is merely general advice. At the end of the day, everyone is unique in their own way, so the information should only be as a guide. If you have friends that treat you badly, it is perfectly fine to let go and move on without them. You do not have to change yourself to please anyone; just be yourself and love yourself. Remember that no matter how perfect you are, there will always be someone who does not like you.
Written by Fionna Lee
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