Not everyone around you has good intentions.
Some people wear masks, pretending to care while only looking out for themselves. This blog reveals the key traits of fake people and helps you identify them before they cause harm in your life.
Have you ever met someone who seemed charming at first but later turned out to be completely different? Fake people can be difficult to identify because they often pretend to be genuine. However, there are certain red flags that can help you recognise them before they create problems in your life.
In this blog, we’ll uncover the telltale signs of fake people and how to protect yourself from their manipulation.
Key Signs of Fake People
1. They Care About Social Status Over Character
One of the easiest ways to spot a fake person is by observing how they treat people. Genuine individuals value a person’s character, whereas fake people judge others based on their wealth, status, or influence.
Example: In Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy judged others based on their family background, while Harry and his friends valued loyalty and kindness.
2. They Manipulate Others
Fake people use manipulation to get what they want, often at the expense of others. They guilt-trip, lie, and deceive to control situations in their favour.
Example: In The Chronicles of Narnia, Eustace manipulated people for his own benefit, while Lucy accepted others as they were.
3. They Constantly Crave Attention
Unlike confident individuals who don’t seek approval, fake people always try to be the centre of attention. They will go to great lengths—even harming others—to stay in the spotlight.
Example: In Shrek 2, Prince Charming desperately wanted attention, while Shrek stayed true to himself without caring for fame.
4. They Never Listen to Others
A fake person dominates conversations and only talks about themselves. They rarely show genuine interest in others and often dismiss different perspectives.
Example: In To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Jen ignored Lara Jean’s feelings and made everything about herself, proving she wasn’t a true friend.
5. They Love to Brag
Fake people constantly boast about their achievements, looks, or intelligence, even exaggerating or lying to make themselves seem better.
Example: In Beauty and the Beast, Gaston boasted about his greatness, while the Beast, who was truly intelligent, never felt the need to show off.
6. They Break Promises Easily
A fake person often makes big promises but never follows through. They are unreliable and only keep their word when it benefits them.
Example: In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Wickham seemed charming but was actually a liar, while Mr. Darcy proved his loyalty through actions, not words.
7. They Are Opportunists
Fake people only stick around when they benefit from a relationship. The moment they find someone with higher status or more advantages, they will leave.
Example: In 10 Things I Hate About You, Chastity ditched her best friend Bianca to get close to a popular guy, proving she wasn’t a true friend.
8. They Put Others Down
To make themselves look better, fake people criticise and insult others. They have no problem tearing someone down if it benefits them.
Example: In The Lord of the Rings, the Captain of Gondor treated his own son with disrespect, while Aragorn uplifted those around him.
9. They Thrive on Drama and Gossip
Fake people enjoy spreading rumours and creating conflict. They are not interested in solving problems but rather in making situations worse for their entertainment.
Example: In Mean Girls, Regina George manipulated her entire school, causing chaos and drama.
10. They Are Only Nice When They Need Something
Fake people are friendly when they need help but will ignore or mistreat you when you are no longer useful to them.
Example: In Game of Thrones, Cersei pretended to love Robert Baratheon, but she was secretly plotting against him the entire time.
11. They Disappear When You Need Them Most
A true friend stands by you during tough times, but a fake person will vanish the moment things get difficult. They only stick around when it’s convenient.Example: In Wild Child, Poppy’s so-called best friend abandoned her when she lost her social status, while her new friends proved their loyalty.
