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People Who Don’t Take Crap From Anyone Usually Display These 10 Traits

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People with these traits have no time for others’ crap.

A man with a beard and short hair, wearing a black shirt, holds his hand in front of him with his palm facing forward. He appears focused and is looking in the direction of his hand. The background is plain and dark.

People are full of crap sometimes, and they’ll use that crap to their advantage in various ways. They might seek to avoid responsibility by blaming others, they might try to justify their poor behavior, they may even manipulate or abuse others with it. But some people don’t take crap from anyone, and those people will share most of the following traits.

1. They have clear, strong boundaries.

Person wearing brown leather shoes standing on a concrete surface just behind a red line, suggesting a boundary or finish line.

A strong boundary clearly shows the line that cannot be stepped over. This healthy habit is not just a trait of someone who doesn’t take crap from anyone, but it’s a necessary part of protecting your space. People will treat you how you allow them to treat you. If you don’t want them to treat you badly, then you have to know where your lines are, and enforce them.

2. They use assertive communication.

A woman with curly hair and a white shirt sits at a table with an open notebook, conversing with a man with styled hair and a denim jacket. Both have smartphones on the table, and a small potted plant is in the center. They appear to be in a modern café.

Assertive is not the same as aggressive. Aggressiveness is confrontation with the idea of looking for a fight. Assertiveness is expressing your needs and desires confidently. The assertive person expresses themselves clearly, standing up for what they believe in. Some may interpret this as aggression, but there is a difference in the vibe of making a demand versus making a statement.

3. They have high self-respect.

A person with short brown hair is leaning against a tree, wearing a camouflage-patterned military uniform. The background is lush with green trees and foliage, suggesting a park or outdoor setting. The individual is looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

A person who doesn’t take crap from anyone understands what they are worth and will not compromise on that matter. They respect themselves and expect others to treat them with the same level of respect they have for themselves. That deep sense of self-worth and self-respect makes it easier for them to shrug off negative opinions and walk away from mistreatment.

4. They have a strong sense of confidence.

A young man with short hair and a beard smiles warmly at the camera. He is wearing a dark blue shirt, and the background appears to be softly blurred, focusing the attention on his cheerful expression.

Confident people don’t feel the need to seek validation from others. They trust their judgment, perspective, and ability to carry them through their decisions. That confidence serves as a shield from the manipulation and disrespect that other people may show them. They don’t need the external validation, so they don’t seek it by accepting bad behavior from people they want acceptance from.

5. They are emotionally intelligent.

Four people are standing and chatting against a brick wall. One person is talking with hand gestures, while the others are listening and smiling. They appear to be enjoying a conversation in a casual indoor setting.

Emotional intelligence matters because there is a difference between being attacked and being criticized. They can understand the difference and accept criticism while not allowing themselves to be undermined or manipulated. They don’t react impulsively or aggressively, but rather with consideration and assertiveness to protect their space. Emotionally intelligent people know that knee-jerk reactions tend to cause more problems.

6. They are independent.

Woman with long, wavy brown hair and red lipstick, wearing a black coat over a red plaid shirt and a paisley scarf, looking slightly to the side. She is standing in front of a wooden door with ornate hexagonal patterns.

An independent, self-sufficient person isn’t reliant on other people to meet their needs. An emotionally independent person understands that they can enforce boundaries or walk away from people who are not treating them well. They don’t fear being alone nor are they reliant on other people to meet their more tangible needs. The strength to walk away from what is wrong makes space for what is right.

7. They are decisive.

A woman with long, wavy red hair is standing against a dark wall with shadows cast from a window. She is wearing a light-colored sweater and has a relaxed expression, with her arms crossed, looking directly at the camera.

They make firm decisions and stick to them. Because they don’t have to accept crap from other people, they are able to make decisions that are right for them and their well-being. Due to their emotional intelligence, they know they are going to make wrong decisions sometimes, but they are confident in their ability to adapt and overcome. They know that they can make a different decision to pivot from the previous decision they made.

8. They refuse to people-please.

Two women are sitting on the grass in a park, engaged in a lively conversation. One woman with shoulder-length red hair is gesturing with her hand, while the other with dark hair in a ponytail is smiling, both appearing relaxed and happy. Trees are visible in the background.

They don’t feel obligated to make everyone else happy. They prioritize their well-being and won’t lightly sacrifice their needs or values to please others or avoid conflict. Instead, they know exactly where they stand with their clear boundaries, and they won’t budge from what is important to them. People-pleasers are often looking for external validation. People who don’t take crap from anyone don’t need external validation.

9. They are emotionally resilient.

A woman stands in front of a large body of water, gazing into the distance. She has long, flowing hair and is wearing a patterned, long-sleeve dress with intricate designs in various colors. The background shows a serene, slightly cloudy sky.

Confident people who don’t take crap from others typically have a thick skin. As a result, insults and attacks from other people don’t affect them as much. Even if those attacks do sting, it doesn’t take them long to get over it because they have a strong understanding of who they are. They may take that information, look for any validity to it, and then use or discard it accordingly.

10. They are selective with their time and energy.

Two women are in an outdoor setting with trees in the background. One woman in a red top stands in the background with arms raised, while the woman in the foreground, wearing a pink off-shoulder top, appears upset or uncomfortable, with her hand near her face.

One must be selective with their time and energy, otherwise other people will steal it all away. There’s only 24 hours in a day, and these people understand they don’t get the time back they waste. They say “no” when it’s necessary, draw a hard lines on when and if they will do something, and cut out people who waste their time. Furthermore, this allows them to dedicate more of their time and energy to things that matter.

About The Author

Jack Nollan is a mental health writer of 10 years who pairs lived experience with evidence-based information to provide perspectives from the side of the mental health consumer. Jack has lived with Bipolar Disorder and Bipolar-depression for almost 30 years. With hands-on experience as the facilitator of a mental health support group, Jack has a firm grasp of the wide range of struggles people face when their mind is not in the healthiest of places. Jack is an activist who is passionate about helping disadvantaged people find a better path.