How To Identify Genuine People In A World Of Fakery: 12 Signs That Reveal All

These things will reveal the truly genuine souls amongt us.

A woman with long brown hair smiles warmly at the camera. She is wearing a yellow jacket over a white sweater. The background shows an urban setting with blurred buildings and trees.

We live in a world that seems to be more artificial by the day. Fortunately, there are some really wonderful, genuine people out there who reaffirm our faith in humanity on a regular basis. Here’s how to find these true gems in a realm of 3D-printed plastic rocks.

1. They take responsibility.

A person with short brown hair, wearing a light gray t-shirt, stands against a plain background. They are shrugging with both hands raised and palms facing outward, looking slightly to the side with a neutral expression.

A genuine person will accept accountability for their mistakes, and will make amends for their wrongdoings. Similarly, they won’t blame everyone and anyone for their lives not going the way they had hoped. Instead, they will roll up their sleeves and take action to move forward in the direction they wish to go.

2. They demonstrate integrity over time.

A close-up of a person with colorful hair in shades of purple, pink, and blonde wearing large round glasses. They have vibrant orange lipstick and appear to be outdoors in natural light. Their expression is calm and serene.

Integrity takes a while to make itself apparent, but a person who’s consistently true to their word, keeps to their commitments, and is honest, forthright, and kind, proves themselves to be a genuine treasure of a person. They’ve proven to be trustworthy, which is a rare trait in a fake world.

3. They behave well when nobody else is watching.

A person is holding a green dog waste bag dispenser, standing on grass. In the blurred background, a large white dog is lying down, looking forward with its tongue out.

How a person behaves when they think nobody else is watching says a great deal about their character. For example, a genuinely kind and responsible person will take care of someone who’s intoxicated or passed out, rather than taking advantage of them, stealing their belongings, and so on.

4. They have individual quirks, rather than maintaining a facade of perfection.

A person with a shaved head and long dreadlocks on top is wearing sunglasses and a black jacket. They have tattoos on their head and face. The background is blurred, featuring vertical architectural elements.

Rather than trying to adhere to the “perfect” version of a person dictated by modern society’s expectations, they fully embrace their quirkiness or unique traits. This helps to set them apart from those who fiercely follow the cult of sameness. They’re more like Amy Winehouse or Willem Dafoe rather than cookie-cutter replicas.

5. They aren’t “influencers”.

An older man with white hair and a beard is sitting indoors on a light-colored couch, wearing a gray knit sweater. He is smiling broadly, with large windows showing greenery behind him. The room appears cozy and warmly lit.

They’re far more interested in doing their own thing and pursuing things that are important to them than being recognized and adored by the masses. You won’t find them trying to coerce people into anything on social media channels: they’re only interested in influencing their own personal development.

6. They embrace their appearance and life “Warts and all”.

A woman with light brown hair and blue eyes smiles warmly at the camera. She is wearing a white shirt and gold earrings, sitting outdoors with a blurred green background of foliage and yellow flowers.

Truly genuine people won’t use beauty-enhancing filters on their photos, nor will they curate their social media accounts to only show the most enticing, ideal images of their lives. Instead, they’re more likely to share the gritty realities of their existence, from personal injuries to week-old dishes in the sink.

7. They don’t seek constant attention and validation.

A smiling woman with blonde hair is partially hidden behind green leaves, enjoying a sunny day outdoors. She is looking at the camera with bright blue eyes. The background is filled with lush, green foliage, creating a vibrant and fresh atmosphere.

Other people’s thoughts and opinions of them really don’t matter much. As such, they don’t seek out external validation, nor is their sense of self-worth dependent on anyone’s approval. They dance to their own tunes and don’t really care if others disapprove of their personal pursuits or life choices.

8. They practice non-judgment of other people’s preferences and interests.

Two women are engaging in a friendly conversation outdoors. One woman with long gray hair is smiling brightly, dressed in a navy blazer and white shirt, carrying a black shoulder bag. The other woman is seen from behind, with blonde hair, wearing a tan blazer.

Whether someone’s interested in collectible cards or rock climbing, they’re cool with whatever that individual’s personal bliss is. They know that everyone is different, and one person’s poison will be another’s medicine. As such, even if they don’t personally like something, they’re completely cool with others loving it.

9. They aren’t constantly talking about themselves.

Two women are sitting at a table in a café, engaged in a conversation. One has her hand raised in a gesturing motion, while the other rests her chin on her hand, listening intently. On the table are two coffee cups, saucers, muffins, and a tablet.

Genuine people tend to ask questions more often than they talk about themselves. They genuinely want to know what other people think or feel, and thus listen more than they speak. They would rather have authentic conversations than brag about their personal routines for hours at a time.

10. They are willing to show vulnerability.

Two women are sitting on a beige sofa in a bright room with large windows and potted plants. Both are dressed in white. The woman on the right is gesturing animatedly with her hands, while the woman on the left listens attentively, leaning forward.

A genuine person will express vulnerability without using it to manipulate others. They’ll be open about things like fears and personal struggles, will be honest if they have feelings for someone (even if it means they might get hurt), and will express real grief instead of pretending that they’re unaffected.

11. They won’t feign interest in the ‘Current Thing’.

A woman with long curly hair, wearing round sunglasses and a black leather jacket, is standing outdoors in a sunlit park with green foliage in the background, smiling gently at the camera.

They don’t need to be part of the crowd, nor will they pretend to like something they have no interest in. That doesn’t mean they’re going to howl about how much they hate something, but they’re honest about their lack of interest instead of going along with something they despise.

12. Their smiles reach their eyes.

A woman with long hair smiles and looks to the side while standing outdoors. She is wearing a light sweater with a pink collar. The background is a blurred urban setting.

There’s a huge difference between a fake smile and a genuine one. When genuine people smile, their eyes tend to squinch up and their grin lights up a room. In contrast, fake people’s smiles are tighter, more controlled, and only last briefly before the next emotional expression takes its place.