People who smile to your face but secretly dislike you usually display these 10 subtle behaviours

Ever noticed how some people smile at you, yet something feels off? That’s because not all smiles are genuine.

Some folks are experts at hiding their true feelings, making it difficult to decipher their real intentions. This can often leave us questioning whether they truly like us or not.

Well, guess what? These people usually give off subtle signs that suggest their true feelings. And if you know what to look for, you can see right through their facade.

Let’s get started. 

1) They overdo the niceties

Ever met someone who’s just a little too nice? Constantly showering you with compliments, always eager to help, yet something doesn’t feel quite right?

There’s a chance they’re overcompensating. This is a common technique used by people who might secretly dislike you. They go overboard with the pleasantries to hide their real feelings.

Sounds confusing, right? But it’s a classic sign of concealed animosity. They’re trying to maintain a positive front, yet their excessive behaviour often gives them away.

Genuine niceness is effortless and feels natural. If it feels forced or exaggerated, it might be a red flag. When someone is being overly nice, take a moment to observe their behaviour closely. You might uncover their hidden dislike towards you.

2) Their body language is off

Body language speaks volumes about a person’s true feelings. I remember this one time, I had a co-worker who would always greet me with the widest grin. However, I noticed her arms were often crossed, and her feet pointed away from me during our conversations.

At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. But then I realized, her body language was contradicting her smiles. It was as if her body was subconsciously trying to distance itself from me, even though she put on a friendly facade.

Turns out, she wasn’t too fond of me but never expressed it outright. The truth was hidden in her body language all along.

Pay attention to people’s non-verbal cues. They might reveal more than their smiles do.

3) They avoid eye contact

Eyes are often referred to as windows to the soul, and for a good reason. They can reveal a lot about a person’s feelings and thoughts.

When someone smiles at you but avoids making direct eye contact, it could indicate that their smile isn’t genuine.

Psychologists have found that we tend to avoid eye contact when we’re hiding something.

Avoiding eye contact is a subtle sign, but one that can provide a lot of insight into someone’s true feelings towards you. So next time you’re interacting with someone and they’re avoiding your gaze, it might be worth considering why that is.

4) They’re rarely the first to initiate contact

Think about it. When you genuinely like someone, you enjoy their company and often reach out to them first, right? But when someone isn’t too fond of you, they’ll hardly ever be the one to initiate contact.

They might respond to your texts or return your calls, but they’ll rarely be the ones to start a conversation or suggest a meet-up. This is a subtle way of maintaining distance without making their dislike too obvious.

If you find yourself always being the one to reach out, it may be a sign that the other person isn’t as invested in the relationship as they appear to be.

5) They subtly steer conversations away from you

Ever notice how some people quickly change the topic when the conversation turns towards you? Or maybe they never ask about your life or your experiences in discussions. This could be a sign that they’re not genuinely interested in you.

People who secretly dislike you tend to redirect the conversation away from you subtly. They might not be rude or dismissive outright, but their lack of interest in your life can be a hint towards their true feelings.

Pay attention to the flow of conversation. It can reveal more than just casual chatter.

6) They don’t share in your happiness

One of the beautiful things about genuine relationships is shared joy. When you’re excited or happy about something, your friends or loved ones feel that happiness too. It’s a sign of empathy and emotional connection.

However, people who secretly dislike you might not share in your joy. When you share good news, they might react with indifference or even thinly veiled jealousy. Instead of celebrating with you, they might downplay your achievements or quickly move on to another topic.

This lack of shared joy can be quite hurtful, but it’s a telling sign of their hidden feelings towards you. Those who truly care about you will always be there to cheer you on in your successes.

7) They’re quick to criticize

Once, I was really excited about a project I had been working on. I thought I had done a great job, but a certain colleague didn’t seem to think so. Every time I shared my progress, they were quick to point out flaws and shortcomings. Their criticism felt harsh and unconstructive.

I later realized that this was their way of expressing their hidden dislike towards me. Instead of providing helpful feedback, they used every opportunity to belittle my efforts.

Be wary of those who seem overly critical of you. Constructive criticism is helpful, but constant negativity can be a sign of disguised animosity.

8) They agree with everything you say

While it might seem like a positive thing if someone is always agreeing with you, it can sometimes be a subtle sign of concealed dislike.

Agreeing with everything you say may seem like they’re being supportive, but it can also mean they’re avoiding any real engagement with your thoughts and ideas. It’s a way of keeping things superficial and avoiding deeper connections.

If someone never disagrees with you or challenges your ideas, they might be keeping their true feelings hidden. A healthy relationship involves respectful disagreements and discussions. Always agreeing could just be their strategy to keep things at surface level.

9) They’re always too busy

We all lead busy lives. But if someone is consistently too occupied to spend time with you or engage in a meaningful conversation, it may be a hint towards their real feelings.

People who secretly dislike you may often claim to be too swamped to meet up or chat. They might cancel plans at the last minute or always seem to be in a rush during interactions.

Everyone has the same 24 hours. If someone genuinely values your relationship, they will make time for you despite their busy schedule. Constant busyness might just be an excuse to maintain distance.

10) They seem uninterested in getting to know you better

The most crucial sign that someone secretly dislikes you is their lack of interest in truly knowing you. Genuine relationships involve a mutual desire to understand and connect with each other on a deeper level.

If someone is consistently uninterested in your thoughts, feelings, or experiences, it’s a strong indication that they don’t genuinely like you. They might smile at you, but their actions speak louder than their outward facade.

Always remember, true connections are built on mutual understanding and interest. Don’t let anyone’s superficial charm mislead you.

Final thoughts: It’s about understanding, not judging

Understanding these subtle signs is not about labeling people as ‘fake’ or ‘insincere’. Instead, it’s about gaining insights into their true feelings and navigating our relationships better.

Remember, everyone has a reason for their behavior. Those who smile while secretly disliking you might be battling their own insecurities or emotional struggles.

In the words of renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung, “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”

So, use these signs as a guide to better understand others and yourself. After all, the essence of human relationships lies in understanding and empathy.