9 Ways To Identify A Two-Faced Person Before It’s Too Late

Be on high alert for these signs of two-faced individuals.

$A woman with long red hair is partially obscured by a glass of water placed in front of her on a table. The water refracts and distorts her facial features, creating an intriguing visual effect. She is set against a neutral grey background.$

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 close-up of two people sharing a secret. One person, who is out of focus, is whispering into the ear of the other, who has a serious expression and short hair, looking intently at the camera. The background is a soft, textured blue.

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.

Four women are smiling and taking a group selfie. They are wearing casual tops and showing a variety of joyful expressions. The background is simple and unobtrusive, keeping the focus on their happy faces.

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.

A smiling woman with her hair tied back in a ponytail is gesturing with her hands. She is surrounded by others who are partially visible, one holding a glass. The group appears to be indoors, engaged in a friendly conversation or gathering.

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 woman with curly hair, wearing a green and white striped shirt, sits pensively in a dimly lit room in front of a laptop. She has her arms crossed and looks slightly to her left. Blurred lights and a window are visible in the background.

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.

A woman with long dark hair and a gray top smirks while clasping her hands together near her face. She is looking slightly to the side against a dark background, with an expression of anticipation or excitement.

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.

A woman in a business suit stands in an office, pointing her finger and appearing agitated while speaking to a man whose back is turned to the camera. Various office furniture and equipment, including desks and chairs, are visible in the background.

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.

A young woman with long brown hair and wearing a blue sweater is smiling while listening attentively to an unseen person gesturing in the foreground. They are outdoors, with a calm, sunlit setting and buildings in the background.

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.

A woman and a man are having an intense conversation while sitting on a couch in a living room. The woman is gesturing with her hands, and the man, wearing glasses and a checkered shirt, is leaning forward and looking at her seriously. A fruit bowl is visible on a nearby table.

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.

Two women having a conversation outdoors. The woman on the left is facing away from the camera, and the woman on the right, with long dark hair and wearing a light-colored jacket, appears to be reacting with a surprised or confused expression.

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.