Be on high alert for these signs of two-faced individuals.
Encountering two-faced individuals can be both frustrating and damaging because you never truly know where you stand with them. Recognizing the signs of a two-faced person early on can save you from potential heartache and manipulation. This article explores key indicators that can help you identify such individuals before it’s too late.
1. They gossip frequently.
A sure sign of a two-faced person is gossip. They speak negatively of others and want to know all the latest drama when the people involved aren’t around. But they’ll then smile and be friendly to those same people when they next see them. This behavior not only betrays the trust of those being talked about but also raises questions about what the gossiper might be saying about you when you’re not present.
2. Their behavior changes around different people.
A person who is being true and honest will typically come across the same way no matter who they are talking to. A two-faced person, on the other hand, may change their opinions or demeanor to fit in with different social groups or to manipulate others more easily. It’s an easy way for them to convince someone they are a friend. This chameleon-like ability to adapt their personality can make it challenging to discern their true nature and intentions.
3. They are too friendly at first.
There is an appropriate amount of friendliness when you are just getting to know someone. People who come across as charming or too friendly may be trying to earn your trust quickly to exploit it later. Be wary of anyone who seems to be trying too hard to get on your good side too fast. Remember, genuine relationships typically develop gradually, not in the blink of an eye.
4. They don’t keep their promises.
A two-faced person will often break their word or fail to follow through. They may agree to do something to please you, but go back on their promises. The two-faced person wants the credit for agreeing and to make you feel like they are helpful, but that’s where their commitment ends. This behavior eventually erodes any and all trust others have for them.
5. They seek personal gain.
Two-faced people often build relationships for personal gain. They are really only ever around when they want something from you. But when you need something from them, they are nowhere to be seen. A common example is using you as a personal therapist or emotional workhorse. Every time they have a problem, they dump it on you, but they only superficially support you in return, if that.
6. They have no sense of accountability.
The two-faced person will often refuse to accept responsibility for their actions. They blame others when something goes wrong or they do something wrong. If you’ve never witnessed a particular person taking accountability for something they’ve done, but you see them shift the blame regularly, they are probably two-faced.
7. Their opinions are unreliable.
They make it hard for others to know their true stance because they don’t seem to have any concrete opinions. That inherently makes them untrustworthy because it is manipulative behavior. You can’t trust someone to be true to you when they can’t even be true to themselves. They may even ask what your opinion is first so they can mirror you.
8. Their actions don’t match their words.
There is often a disconnect between what they say and what they do. They may make promises or express opinions, but their actions often contradict these statements. Perhaps they claim to be your biggest supporter but fail to show up when you need them. This inconsistency between words and deeds is a clear indicator that their true intentions may not align with their outward expressions.
9. You have an uneasy feeling about them.
Sometimes, your intuition will pick up on a problem before your conscious mind figures it out. There is typically a reason why someone makes you feel uncomfortable, suspicious, or uneasy. It may be that your intuition is picking up on inconsistencies in their behavior that may otherwise point to them being dishonest or manipulative. If your intuition is pinging, it’s a good idea to listen to it and pay closer attention to that person for the other signs of two-facedness on this list.