Men who have poor social skills but don’t realize it usually display these 7 subtle behaviors

Ever met someone who seems a little “off” in social settings, but they have no idea?
Poor social skills can be subtle, and the tricky part is that many guys who struggle with them don’t even realize what they’re doing wrong.
It’s not about being rude or awkward on purpose—it’s about those small behaviors that go unnoticed by the person but scream “socially unaware” to everyone else.
Today, we dive into seven subtle behaviors that men with poor social skills often display. How many have you come across?
Maybe more than you’d think. Let’s get to it.
1) Difficulty keeping eye contact
Eye contact is a fundamental aspect of human interaction. It conveys interest, engagement, and confidence. As put by the experts, it’s a “powerful visual cue for building social links.”
However, these men often struggle to maintain eye contact during conversations. They might look away, glance down, or seem distracted.
They may not realize it, but this can significantly affect how others perceive them. It can lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities in personal and professional settings.
If you notice this behavior in yourself or someone you know, it might be a sign of undeveloped social skills. Developing the habit of maintaining appropriate eye contact can greatly improve one’s social interactions.
It’s not about staring people down—it’s about showing that you’re genuinely engaged in the conversation.
2) Over-talking or dominating conversations
This one hits close to home for me.
A couple of years ago, I had a friend who would always dominate conversations.
We’d start talking about a topic, and before I knew it, he’d have taken over completely, leaving little room for anyone else to contribute.
He didn’t realize it, but his habit of over-talking often left others feeling ignored or unimportant. It was as if our thoughts and opinions didn’t matter as much as his.
It took a while for him to recognize this subtle behavior as a sign of poor social skills.
Once he did, he worked hard to correct it. He started consciously making an effort to listen more and talk less.
The change in his interactions was remarkable.
Do you find yourself constantly taking center stage in conversations?
If so, you might want to step back and check if you’re allowing enough space for others, too.
As the Stoic philosopher Epictetus said, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
3) Misreading non-verbal cues
Many experts believe that just 7% of communication concerns what we say. The rest concerns tone and body language.
Men with poor social skills often struggle with interpreting these non-verbal cues.
They might not pick up on a person’s discomfort signaled by crossed arms or miss the sarcasm in someone’s tone of voice.
Improving our ability to read non-verbal cues can enhance our social interactions immensely.
Pay attention to people’s body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. They often tell a story words can’t express.
4) Struggling with small talk
Small talk may seem trivial, but it’s a crucial social skill. It serves as a bridge to deeper conversations and helps build rapport with others.
However, men (especially introverted men) lacking in social skills often find small talk challenging.
They might find it hard to keep the conversation flowing or struggle to come up with topics to discuss.
This struggle can make interactions awkward and stilted.
It can also make it difficult for them to build connections with others, as small talk is often the starting point of most social and professional relationships.
The good news is that it’s a skill that can be improved with practice.
5) Difficulty empathizing
Ever had a conversation with someone who just couldn’t seem to grasp how you were feeling?
Some people struggle to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. It’s not that they don’t care—it’s that they can’t easily read or understand what others are going through.
This lack of empathy can make interactions feel cold or disconnected, even when that’s not their intention.
Empathy is a crucial social skill because it helps connect us on a deeper level. Without it, conversations can come across as one-sided or even dismissive.
Whether it’s missing the emotional weight of someone’s story or failing to offer support when it’s needed most, the inability to empathize creates a barrier in relationships—personal or professional.
6) Standing too close or too far away
So let’s say you’re in the middle of a conversation, and the person you’re talking to keeps inching closer and closer, or maybe they’re standing so far away you have to practically shout to be heard.
Sounds uncomfortable, right?
It is. Personal space is a delicate but important part of social interactions.
Standing too close can make people feel crowded or even threatened, while standing too far away can come across as disinterest or awkwardness.
Knowing how to respect someone’s personal space isn’t just about physical distance—it’s about making others feel comfortable and respected during an interaction.
A simple rule of thumb is to pay attention to how the other person reacts. If they’re stepping back, give them space. If they’re leaning in, you’re likely in a comfortable range.
Mastering this balance can make social interactions much smoother without that lingering sense of awkwardness.
7) Lack of self-awareness
At the heart of poor social skills is often a lack of self-awareness.
Men who struggle socially are frequently unaware of how their behaviors might be perceived by others.
This lack of self-awareness can hinder their ability to learn from social interactions and improve.
They might not realize that their actions are off-putting or that they’re crossing boundaries.
Self-awareness is key to social success. It allows us to understand how we come across to others and adjust our behavior accordingly.
Final thoughts: It’s a learning journey
Poor social skills can go unnoticed by those displaying them, yet they can significantly affect relationships and opportunities.
Recognizing these subtle behaviors is the first step toward better social interactions.
With a bit of awareness and practice, anyone can improve how they connect with others. It’s never too late to start.