Have you ever met someone you hated after interacting with them for only a few minutes?

Maybe it was something they said.

An annoying habit.

Their very punchable face. (It happens!)

There are people you simply don’t vibe with, and that’s okay.

But if you *yourself* want to avoid giving people the wrong impression, there are a few things you should refrain from doing.

Here are 10 behaviors that make people resent you almost instantly, according to psychology.

Stop giving people the ick.

1) Interrupting

Interruptions are disrespectful and make the person who was talking feel like their contributions don’t matter, psychologists point out.

Consequently, people who interrupt others come across as self-centered and rude.

They essentially insinuate that what they have to say is more important than what the speaker was trying to articulate before being unceremoniously cut off.

Interruptions also disrupt the flow of the conversation.

You may think that joining a group at a networking event by loudly asking what everyone is talking about is a sign that you’re social and open, but there’s a good chance you’ll be welcomed to the circle by heavy silence.

Don’t be that guy.

2) Judging

Judging others is another big no-no, according to psychology.

Even if you’re judgmental by nature, commenting on others’ behavior in a negative way, especially when you don’t know them well, doesn’t work in your favor.  

It makes them feel unfairly criticized and undermines their confidence.

In short, they won’t add you to their speed dial anytime soon.

Generally speaking, you should never venture an opinion on someone without understanding their context or perspective.

This applies to comments that may seem harmless to you but hurt others deeply. Like:

• You’re brave for wearing that, I could never wear something so colorful/revealing/outrageous.
• Oh wow, your taste in music/movies/books could definitely use some refining.
• You’re too sensitive/I was just joking/You need to toughen up.
• I can’t believe you don’t know that, it’s basic knowledge.
• You still live with your parents at your age?

You get the idea.

3) Being overly negative

Being a Negative Nancy or Downer Dan can also push people away.

When someone consistently focuses on the negative aspects of situations, it creates an environment of pessimism and discouragement.

I remember being at a housewarming party once, telling a friend how excited I was about an upcoming trip to Italy.

Out of nowhere, a woman I didn’t know jumped in and started to bash Italy as a whole, commenting on everything from the bad food (what?) to the unfriendly locals (not from my experience) to the fact that it’s way too popular as a travel destination and people should branch out.

Did she make a good impression on me?

She did not.

We are naturally drawn to positivity because we want to be uplifted, not reminded about the many indignities of the world every 2.5 minutes.

Something to keep in mind.

4) Complaining too much

Similarly, over-complainers might want to switch up their negative ways.

Complaining may have become a favorite pastime activity for the majority of the population, but it creates a glum atmosphere of dissatisfaction.

It can also be emotionally draining for those around you, as they’re repeatedly exposed to your discontent.

People who complain a lot are never happy about anything.

The weather is bad. The food isn’t up to their standards. The function you’re attending isn’t entertaining enough.

Complain to your loved ones, but don’t bombard casual acquaintances with your perpetual outrage.

They won’t like you very much if you do.

5) Gossiping

Gossip occasionally brings people together.

More often than not, however, it’s toxic for everyone involved, according to psychology.

People who get tangled in others’ drama are usually dramatic themselves, which can be off-putting.

Additionally, if someone approaches you with a hot piece of gossip, how can you be sure that they won’t talk about you behind your back?

You can’t, so you’ll never be able to fully trust them.

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t be keen to befriend someone who traffics in rumors and speculation.

6) Boasting

Bragging about your status, accomplishments, or possessions can lead to resentment because it conveys arrogance and a lack of consideration for others’ feelings.

It creates an imbalance in conversations, making everyone else feel overshadowed.

Not to mention the fact that someone who boasts about themselves is frequently perceived as insincere and self-serving.

They act like they crave validation, not genuine connection with others.

Humility, on the other hand, builds more respectful social bonds.

Next time you feel like bringing up one of your wins, bite your tongue and shine the spotlight on someone else.

You’ll get better the more you practice.

7) Lying

Lying fundamentally breaches trust, the cornerstone of any healthy relationship.

When someone discovers they’ve been lied to, they feel betrayed, disrespected, and manipulated.

According to psychology, even white lies hurt, usually more than if the speaker had uttered the harsh truth in the first place.

Even so, many people are tempted to lie, ironically in order to impress others.

They exaggerate their achievements, fudge their background, claim to be friendly with people who don’t even know they exist.

When found out, the resentment is instantaneous.

I wouldn’t risk it.

8) Teasing

Teasing is meant to be playful, but mostly when it happens among friends or in the context of flirting.

If you tease someone you barely know, you might be met with bewilderment or anger.

It’s because it’s inappropriate to tease someone with whom you lack an established rapport.

Without a clear understanding of the person’s sensitivities and boundaries, your comments can easily hit a sore spot, even unintentionally.

Cue discomfort and resentment.

Furthermore, initial interactions set the tone for the future of the relationship.

Beginning a new acquaintance with teasing undermines the development of trust and respect.

Said person will likely avoid you moving forward.

9) Bullying

It should go without saying, but bullying is another behavior that makes people resent you almost instantly.

According to psychology, being socially bullied is the second most common form of bullying after name-calling.

Social bullying can include any or all of the following:

• Excluding someone from group activities 
• Mocking or ridiculing someone in front of others
• Sharing private information about someone without their consent
• Ignoring what someone just said in a social situation
• Deliberately sabotaging someone’s relationships to get ahead

If your go-to social tactic is to do any of the above, don’t be surprised if you’re the one who becomes marginalized. 

Sooner rather than later.

10) Making offensive statements/jokes

Making offensive statements or jokes can also lead to instant resentment from others because these remarks often target sensitive aspects of a person’s identity.

Like race, gender, religion, or personal experiences.

When someone hears an offensive comment, it not only undermines their self-esteem but also signals a lack of empathy and consideration on the speaker’s part.

Even if you don’t believe anyone in your immediate vicinity will be offended, you can never be 100% sure.

Plus, remarks of the offensive variety create a hostile and uncomfortable environment where individuals feel unsafe.

They will only hurt your own reputation in the long run.

Final thoughts

Making a good first impression isn’t rocket science.

Express interest in the person you’re talking to, smile, and don’t say anything too scandalous 10 seconds in.

Most importantly, never exhibit the behaviors above.

Or, you know, exhibit all the behaviors above to alienate everyone so that you will never be invited to outings and finally have enough free time to reorganize the pantry.

It works both ways.