How to deal with selfish people: Everyone is selfish to a specific stretch. While normal levels of self-love, self-value, and self-confidence are necessary for people to perform well, there is a line between these traits and being a little too self-absorbed, or just plain narcissistic.
If you have met someone very selfish or possibly have a friend or partner who’s selfish, here are some definite ways you can deal with them.
How to deal with selfish people:
Accept that selfish people have no consideration for others
To deal with selfish people you have to be real with yourself. Accept that the selfish person might never consider your needs first. As much as this friend or lover means to you, know that they have no consideration for others’ feelings. They can have moments of unselfishness and charm, but for the most part, they simply lack the willingness to be thoughtful and considerate. This fact will give you a clear understanding of where you stand in the relationship.
Give yourself the attention you deserve
Selfish people crave your attention but don’t give you any. To avoid being wrenched dry of emotions, give yourself the attention you have been giving to the selfish person. Meet your needs before that selfish person’s. Ignoring your need to pour attention and energy into a self-obsessed person isn’t ethical. It only sets you up for being emotionally exhausted and hurt.
Stay true to yourself
Selfish people may make you feel like pulling out their hair. Avoid paying attention to it. Don’t fall into their game or engage in behavior that is in your control. Just be true to yourself.
Remind them that the world does not spin around them
A self-obsessed person may be so seized up in themselves that they forget to consider others’ feelings. They might just need a little reminder that the world does not spin around them. Talk and tell them as much without coming across as if you are striking them.
Starve them of the attention they crave
This is an effective strategy to deal with extremely selfish people who refuse to consider others. The trick is to be civil but never offer the attention the self-obsessed person desires. It will confuse and throw them off balance for a while. Remember, attention is your prize. If you don’t give it to them, they will most likely rush away.
Stop doing favors for them
Selfish people always ask for favors, but they wriggle out of helping you when you need their help. That is how they live. While it is essential to be tolerant and give a selfish friend or partner a chance to change, it is also necessary not to enable their selfishness, particularly if it ends up hurting you. So, when a selfish person asks for too many favors, don’t give in and let them walk all over you. Make it clear that you don’t appreciate being made feel as if you are not significant or as if you are of a lower status. If you get into a situation where you have to defend your stand, make it short and to the point since selfish people are not the best listeners.
Limit your time together
Once you realize that someone is too selfish and self-obsessed, it is high time that you stayed away from them. Limit your time together as much as doable. Your time is better off spent alone than with selfish people.