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How could we recognize a bad person? Culture and, in particular, cinema, give us a lot of advice, but they often turn out to be absolutely unusable in real life. After all, stereotyped scoundrels, with a look from under their brows and an ominous laugh, exuding evil with their whole appearance, practically do not occur in reality.

On the contrary, a really bad person, rather, will be incredibly pleasant in communication, will do everything to ingratiate themselves with you - and then, when they reach their goal, they will definitely do something harmful to you. But there is a wonderful science of psychology, and it helps, by the smallest, seemingly invisible at first glance, signs, to determine that you are dealing with someone who is not as good as they seem.

A thread starter appeared on the AskReddit community just one day ago, asking the question: "What is a subtle sign someone isn't a good person?" The result is over 15.4K upvotes and approximately 9.2K various comments. Now it will definitely be much more difficult for the villains to ingratiate themselves with us!

Bored Panda has compiled for you a selection of the most popular and useful tips from the original thread. Therefore, feel free to read, scroll to the very end, leave your own comments - and may bad people never cross your life path!

More info: Reddit

#2

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group Littering. It's not a violent act or anything, but it does indicate a lack of respect that usually carries into other aspects of the person's life.

BeskarVagina , charcoal soul Report

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DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think I posted this here a while back. I once threw a cup outside the car window when I was a really young kid and it haunted me for years. I have never littered since that day. It was so culturally accepted I never questioned it as a kid.

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#3

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group How they treat people in the service industry. When they act like they are better than waiters, fast food employees, or retail workers.

Admiral_Fancypants , Quinn Dombrowski Report

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Bmo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I refuse to go out to a meal with someone like this. One I get embarrassed and 2, I feel that I need to stand up for the worker.

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#4

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group Their treatment of the weakest members of society including defenceless animals, the homeless and those in low service positions.

vidalotus , Eli Christman Report

#5

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group Not owning up to their mistakes and always attributing it to someone or something else.

tiredandsad1 , Danko Münzel Report

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DrBronxx
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"if everyone around you is the problem, maybe you're the problem"

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Bouche Clay
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the mindset in prison. My actions didn't lead me here-- whoever told put me here. Or I'm here because I had a bad lawyer, or the judge put me here. After I'd been in prison for 8 or 9 years, a nurse asked me how long I had to go. I answered him, then said I deserved to be there. The nurse did a double take. He said he'd never heard anyone say that before. I still don't get that mindset. I broke the law, therefore I deserved the punishment I received. How can you change if you're not even willing to admit that there's a problem?

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Jen Weber
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a name for this. It is called external locus of control, where people blame things outside themselves for events/outcomes in their lives. Opposed to this is the internal locus, where people take responsibility for their own actions.

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Deborah Harris
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had a supervisor who constantly did this..we used to call her Shaggy ( it wasn't me 🎵)

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Fritz Johnson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really, this is ALL politicians I don't think I've heard a politician take responsibility for anything they did wrong. That definitely includes Biden and the Dems as well as the Republicans. Please stop believing all the propaganda.

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Vasana Phong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mil, my husband grew up now with some type of trauma of how she treated him, stopped talking to her for 10 years because she was so toxic, gave it another shot, no go, as she denied everything, to move forward you got admit your mistakes

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Skadi Lifdis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like the time it was my fault we deflated their expensive air mattress. Because a fishing hook, that was theirs, got stuck in the back pocket of my jeans...when I got into their truck. And didn't know it was there because of the way the pockets were made. But somehow it was my fault.

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DeeDee M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I watch for this in a new relationship. 1,000 ex's and it was all their fault? Um no. The common denominator is you there, partner.

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Gonzalo Terán
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The peronismo in Argentina. Sorry if not all of you get it, but I had to write it.

bmo avatar
Bmo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a family member like this...Needless to say we're not in touch often.

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FiestaBear
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an onion that is vague. Define owning up? Do you want a simple understanding? Do you want an apology? Do you want a new car? Owning up is too broad a definition to determine if a person's "owning up" action proves they are a good person or not. From my time on Earth, all I want a person tondo is listen and try to stop future mistakes. The act of prevention is more valuable than a new puppy to prove redemption.

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Mjolnir Stormbreaker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of the time I say it was me or tell them when asked to say it was me so they won't get in trouble.

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Mym Zy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My coworker is like this (office of two) when the s**t hits her fan, she tries to spread it around to avoid admitting her fault.

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Kyle Beaudoin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one was the biggest red flag for me that ended a 20 year friendship, as my "friend" kept blaming everyone else for his problems.

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cathy hurd
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband, nothing is ever his fault or there's always an excuse (I blame his mother for that)

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Gizmo TeknoDekkeR
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like my ex wife... I left her, she divorced me, but it's all my fault 🤣 thank f**k I'm free

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Toaster Teostra
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly I See this recently with all of our internes. Everyone f***s up from time to time, my coworkers, me, heck even the Boss, but you have to stand up for it and say that you goofed. But they always try to hide mistakes or even worse, want to make it Look like others did it. And when you tell them what a shitty behaviour this is, they call mommy and daddy

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Jessica Heckner
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't a bad person thing (which I frankly think is already a terrible approach to take to other people's unacceptable behavior- it basically means you shouldn't bother with this person because they are trash. But ANYWAY...) but this is SO a lack of maturity thing. This is exactly what little kids do. And yeah it suck, but it isn't a reason to write someone off.

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Jodie daubenmire
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm goodness!! We hear that 100s of times a day. From those who we have placed our lives in their care!!! Pathetic

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Harry Hwt
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just curious never blaming themselves or blaming themselves and blaming others at the same time asking for a friend (I'm not)

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Just Jeff
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is honestly something that I've been working on lately.

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roepi
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But why can't It be sunspots. I want it to be sunspots. Please let me blame sunspots.

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#6

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group They don’t put the shopping cart in the designated area and leave it randomly in the parking lot.

peanutbrittle2018 , 7C0 Report

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#7

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group They have a habit of talking bad about other people behind their backs and spreading gossip and rumor. You can tell a lot about a person by observing how they talk about their peers behind their back.
When a person occasionally vents by talking bad about someone (like their boss, or classmate) because of some unpleasant experience, that's okay. We all do it. But when a person habitually talks s**t about people behind their back, that's a big red flag.

HopelessDude96 , Carl Nenzén Lovén Report

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LittlePiggie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mama always taught me if they gossip to you behind others' backs, they'll gossip about you behind your back.

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#8

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group When they talk about themselves then stop listening when u talk about yourself

Chronicl-ill-Daniel , Jason Lander Report

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#9

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group They believe that respect is earned but demand it immediately from you.

GrilledCheeser , Pedro Ribeiro Simões Report

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StrangeOne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those who say that are power trippers and place themselves so high up on a pedestal they think they're royalty. A lot of gangster wannabes and drug dealers act like that.

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#10

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group Casual unnecessary lying

Dense_Composer_8479 , Jean-Etienne Minh-Duy Poirrier Report

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JelliTate
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Insecurity. Takes a LONG time to get it out of your system. (The lying I mean.)

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#11

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group When they see someone else's progress or success as a threat.

Aggravating_Gift_520 , Luke Jones Follow Report

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Ronda News Channel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I found a quote in my native language that means 'Happy with someone's trouble and annoyed with someone's success.'

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#12

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group I've learned that when someone is claiming to be really "direct" or "blunt" or "honest" it is often a self justification for being controlling and rude.

VerkinGhettoRex , A Healthier Michigan Report

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Doctor Strange
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those who claim to be brutally honest are usually more interested in the 'brutal' than the 'honest'. It is entirely possible to be honest without being brutal.

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#13

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group All their exes are crazy and nothing negative is ever their fault.

forestfairygremlin , Christopher Bowns Report

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Hill Branda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If all their exes are crazy, you have wonder why they kept choosing to date crazy people.

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#14

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group When they don't say things like thank you or please.

I just automatically assume people are a**holes when they can't do these basic, easy acts of kindness.

Maco1ycyx , Panos Sakalakis Report

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Bmo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A few times I've had to repeat myself when I've said Thank You to someone and they don't respond at all. Takes just a moment to respond.

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#15

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group Passively aggressively insulting you in front of a group of people in such a way that you can’t say anything back without looking like you’re the emotional one even though you know that they intentionally insulted you to disrespect you.

HackTheNight , Chris Fithall Report

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StrangeOne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's sad our emotions are policed like this. F**k it. Get upset. Cry if you want to. Don't laugh. Our emotions are ours. Own them. The only reason people hate seeing you emote your true feelings is because it makes them uncomfortable. It makes them uncomfortable because they don't feel they're allowed to express their feelings outwardly, and don't believe anyone else should either. That's their problem. Don't allow them to make their problem your problem. They can leave any time.

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#16

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group The common denominator. They fall out with people all the time but it’s always the other persons fault or family members don’t talk to them but that’s not their fault because they’ve done nothing wrong.
It’s never them, it’s always everyone else is out to get them or is unreasonable, yet they’re the only common denominator in all the situations with all these supposedly shitty people

Well_red_1431 , Pille Kirsi Report

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StrangeOne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup. Much of these are someone I know to a 'T'. I'm beginning to think she's not a very good person.

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#17

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group They demand forgiveness instead of asking for it.

"I said I was sorry, it's done now. Get over it."

MaliciousPorpoise , cottonbro Report

#19

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group They share private information about others with you

RaeDeclin , del mich Report

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DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh yes, That's private for a reason. The only people I confide in are my closest friends.

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#20

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group Doesn’t help other people unless it benefits themself

ERICxCARTMAN , Joe Shlabotnik Report

#21

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group They always have to be the victim

TheMightySweater , Keenan Constance Report

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JMil
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People who constantly play the victim card are hard to be around. Do tell, what went wrong today and who is at fault? Never you, of course.

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#22

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group Regular putdowns that are disguised as "jokes"

EDIT: I think I need to be more clear here. I'm talking about "jokes" that they either carry on long after everyone else has stopped, or alternatively legit insults that they will *only* claim is a joke if you get upset.

yeetgodmcnechass , Chris Hunkeler Report

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TheAquarius1978
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is desgusting, and this comming from a guy with a pitch black sence of humor, many Times a put myself down to promote a laugh ( fell free to check my comenta if in doubt ) i Mock myself before mocking someone else.

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#23

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group If they’re dismissive of what you have to say or want to share.

MarvelousJoe , Rui Fernandes Report

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JMil
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dominating the conversation. That look in their eyes when you know they aren't listening (in the rare moments they aren't talking) but only waiting for themselves to interject and talk again (usually about themselves).

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#24

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group A lot of these are kind of blatant. To me a really subtle clue is when people are unable to be happy for others the moment things go wrong with their own life. Less obvious than people who fail to empathize with pain, and also less obvious than people who dismiss or minimize accomplishments, but ultimately indicative of the same empathy deficiency. Specifically in acquaintanceships and close friendships.

“I don’t want to hear about your fiancé proposing to you when my boyfriend just dumped me” sucks, and so does “Your fiancé proposed after 3 years and you’re going on a Hawaii honeymoon? That’s so nice for you sweetie, mine proposed after 2 years and we went on a tour around Europe for 3 months”


“I don’t care about your divorce because I’ve been through 3 divorces” is obviously a s**tty attitude, and “I care about your feelings about this divorce even though I’m also divorced” is basic decency.

What I look for (and try very hard to be) sounds like:

“I’m happy that you are experiencing career success even though I am unhappy at my job”

-I’m able to hear your joy without my eyes glazing over + my mind wandering to my apartment’s ant issue.

“If I compare myself to you this is painful to hear, but really what that means is you’re experiencing wonderful things, which I want for you”

“Even though I’m cold and hangry, I’m not going to bring anyone else’s mood down.”

ScheherazadeSmiled , SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS Report

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Luna Crow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, “I don’t want to hear about your fiancé proposing to you when my boyfriend just dumped me” ... So, we're putting all of the "suck it up and be nice" on the person experiencing a hardship? Shouldn't the happy person who wants to share maybe also take some responsibility in sharing in appropriate avenues? I wouldn't insist on showing pictures of my new puppy to someone whose dog just died, for example

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#26

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group “Only God can judge me” tattooed anywhere on their body. I should’ve known…….

Emergency_Brain902 , Matheus Ferrero Report

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Lauren Caswell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think "Only Dog can judge me" is better, and dogs are good judges of ppl

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#27

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group When you’re going out and they judge or make a rude comment about a random person passing by.

kilmock , Keira Burton Report

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Bmo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband and I will say these sorts of things to each other as a joke but wouldn't fathom actually saying it to these strangers. We're just being jerks to crack each other up.

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#28

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group someone who is incapable of reflecting. They are the centre of their own universe. They are unable to grasp the big picture or how they fit within it. Everyone has a place in the larger picture, which is their small view of the world.

No_Maximumdse , Toms Baugis Report

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Stephanie Did It
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And everyone/everything else exists only to serve their purpose or to oppose them.

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#29

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group They try too hard to prove they’re a good person.

hottaxidermy , GeorgeTan#1...Off permanently Report

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Bmo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they feel the need to post any sort of charity work on social media, immediate red flag. You can do charity work and it still counts even if no one knows about it.

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#30

30 Not-That-Obvious Signs That Show That Someone Isn’t A Good Person, As Shared In This Online Group Always blaming others for things that happen to them, and not putting the trolley back after they are done with it.

Carlosthefrog , My Photo Journeys Report

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TheAquarius1978
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yea lol, funny thing, trolleys here are "paid" all the trolleys are chained toguether and you have to depósit a 1€ coin in order to release the chain, só 95%of people take their trolleys back, and if they don't lol, theres always kids looking for " Lost " trolleys in the parking lot.

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