People who have no self-awareness whatsoever tend to use these 12 phrases a lot

Someone who says these things has no self-awareness.

A woman wearing glasses and a striped shirt is standing in an office, pointing forward with an expressive face, possibly angry or emphasizing a point. The room has a large window and a desk with plants and office supplies.

Some people are remarkably self-aware, and understand the underlying motivations behind their actions (or at least try their best to do so). In contrast, others blunder their way through life, rarely thinking twice about what they’re doing, nor the consequences of their actions and how they affect others. Those who fall into the latter category use the following 12 phrases on a regular basis.

1. “I didn’t think.”

Two people sit on a couch drinking from mugs. One, a young woman, appears to be speaking or explaining something to the other, an older person whose back is to the camera. The setting is a cozy, well-lit living room.

This is a catch-all phrase used to explain away all manner of atrocious behavior. Those who have little to no self-awareness simply act on impulse, and then act all shocked and surprised when they realize that others are affected by their actions. They simply “didn’t think” and acted on autopilot.

2. “I didn’t know.”

A man with a beard, wearing glasses, a light blue shirt, and a dark blue tie, stands against a mustard-colored background. He is shrugging with palms up and a puzzled expression on his face.

You’ll hear this one when someone does something wrong, but their urges outweighed any instinct to think about the consequences of what they were about to do. They’ll claim that they “didn’t know” the thing they stole belonged to someone, or that the “do not enter” sign applied to them too.

3. “I didn’t think anyone would notice.”

Two women are sitting and talking in a bright room. One woman gestures with her hands, while the other holds a tablet. A plant is in the background, and another person is partially visible in the foreground.

When a person uses this phrase, they’re basically admitting that they aren’t sorry about whatever it was they did, but rather that they got caught. Their intrusive thoughts and selfish instincts ruled them completely, and they honestly didn’t think anyone would even notice or care about the actions they took.

4. “I don’t give a ****” (on repeat, often said loudly, toward large groups of people).

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair is standing against a light pink background. She is wearing a colorful striped sweater and a watch on her wrist. She looks angry, with her mouth open and fists raised.

Many people who use this phrase will look around while they’re saying it to see how many people are paying attention to how little they care. They use this phrase to release themselves from care and obligation, but they want others to witness and recognize just how edgy they are about it.

5. “That sounds like a YOU problem, LOL.”

A woman in a green striped shirt gestures with her hand, sitting at an outdoor table. She is engaged in conversation with another person, whose back is visible. Warm string lights and blurred surroundings suggest a cafe setting.

People who cause problems and have no vested interest in setting anything right will often laugh at those who have been negatively affected by what they’ve done. In their minds, those they’ve damaged are suckers who now have to contend with the fallout from what they’ve unleashed, much to their own amusement.

6. “Go cry about it.”

A person with long red hair and black-framed glasses is making a pouty face with wide-open eyes. They hold their hands up near their chin, palms facing outward. They are wearing a light blue shirt and are set against a plain background.

This phrase has become a mantra for social media jerks in recent years. They’ll say something that’s completely awful, and if someone else expresses just how damaging their comment could be, they’ll tell the other to go cry about it instead of recognizing the role they’re playing in this mess.

7. “Who hurt you?”

Two women are sitting indoors having a serious conversation. The woman on the left looks concerned, while the woman on the right gestures with her hands, appearing to explain something. Both are wearing light-colored sweaters.

People could say something completely innocuous, and someone will ask “Who hurt you?” as a means to try to silence them. It invalidates anything the other person says, implying that the only reason they’re upset is that they were traumatized by someone else’s actions at some point in time.

8. “Sorry, not sorry.”

A woman with long red hair, wearing a grey dress, is indoors near a window with plants in the background. She holds a phone to her ear, looking surprised and gesturing with her other hand. Sunlight filters through the window and illuminates the scene.

A phrase like this lets everyone know that the person feels zero responsibility or remorse for how their words or actions affect those around them. It’s a non-apology that effectively doubles down on their stance, which is likely contentious, upsetting, or hurtful. But too bad! They said what they said and they’re not sorry about it.

9. “I thought we were family.”

Two women engage in a conversation against a plain blue background. One woman, wearing a red embroidered top, gestures with open hands. The other woman, in a white headband and a light purple shirt, responds with a pointing gesture and a smile.

This one is often used after they’ve committed some awful transgression or betrayal. It’s as though they believe in the old adage of “love means never having to ‘I’m sorry’”, which was popular back in the 1970s. Just because people love you doesn’t mean it’s okay to mistreat or take advantage of them.

10. “Do as I say, not as I do.”

A woman on the left is angrily gesturing at a younger woman on the right, who is ignoring her by plugging her ears with her fingers and looking upwards. Both have long blonde hair and are wearing casual clothes against a plain background.

How many parents have used this double standard with their offspring? And in a larger sense, how often do you see someone getting furious at another for behaving the exact same way that they do? It implies that they get a free pass to do what they want, but you don’t.

11. “You think you’re better than me.”

Two women are in a brightly lit room. One, with curly blonde hair and wearing a yellow shirt, is standing and pointing, appearing angry. The other, with straight dark hair and wearing a white shirt, is sitting on a bed looking confused and defensive.

Many whose IQ levels are downright subterranean believe that not only do they psychically know what someone else is thinking or feeling, but that person’s thoughts are negatively judgmental, and should be called out. In reality, the one saying it is projecting their inferiority with zero awareness whatsoever.

12. “I would NEVER do that.”

A woman wearing a red shirt is sitting at a table, gesturing with her hand and appearing to be in an intense conversation with another woman who has blonde, curly hair and is wearing a light pink shirt. They are both indoors near large windows.

Funny how these words are often expressed shortly after doing the very thing they’re claiming they’d never do. Although it’s sometimes said subconsciously, it’s more often used to detract from their own guilt—they may sincerely believe that they’re not awful enough to do That Thing, even while in the midst of doing it.