Certain people are just a little bit too helpful. 

Their heart is in the right place, but their actions and involvement in our lives go over the line and become downright annoying. 

If you’ve dealt with people like this then you know what I mean:

Folks who get so involved in your business that they become overbearing and frustrating. But you feel bad for telling them off because you know they mean well. 

They have good intentions and want to be of assistance, but their involvement in our lives crosses the line into meddling, bossiness and unwanted intrusion. 

Here’s a look at the top behaviors of these overly helpful folks. 

1) Offering unsolicited advice

Advice can be nice. 

But when you didn’t ask for it and you don’t really want it, getting words of wisdom can be downright annoying. 

Overbearingly helpful people constantly offer advice, even when it’s not asked for, because they genuinely believe they know what’s best for others.

It may be subtle and small pieces of advice about little things in your life, but it still becomes frustrating. 

2) Over-explaining

It’s nice that somebody takes the time and energy to explain how to do something. 

But it can go too far. These well-meant but overbearing people tend to minutely over-explain concepts or ideas, assuming others don’t understand.

This can frankly come across as patronizing, even though they don’t mean it that way. 

3) Taking over tasks

Well-meaning but overbearing individuals often take over tasks or responsibilities without thinking. 

They just want to help, and be of assistance. 

But they end up taking over small things around them without considering if you actually preferred to handle them independently.

4) Micromanaging

These kind but annoying individuals have a tendency to micromanage situations, believing they’re being helpful.

For example, they end up talking about the weather for the coming week for half an hour while planning out their schedule around it in a way that’s totally over-the-top, and using you as a sounding board while they plan. 

It’s frustrating because it’s so unnecessary. 

5) Interrupting conversations

Overbearingly kind people frequently interrupt, believing they have something more important or relevant to contribute.

Once or twice is no big deal, but their habit of cutting in can become quite upsetting when it turns into a pattern. 

They always seem to have something better to say.

6) Assuming control in group settings

These people often naturally assume leadership roles in group settings in a way that’s a bit pushy. 

They also take control in a way that unintentionally overshadows others’ contributions.

It’s as if they just naturally take over without even thinking about it. 

7) Pushing their agenda

They subtly push their own agenda or opinions onto others, even if it’s not in line with what others want or need.

They chime in with little reminders or sayings that they keep repeating, sometimes almost half-jokingly. 

But this quite passive-aggressive behavior isn’t by mistake: it’s them asserting that they always know just a little bit better about what to do and why in any given situation.

8) Ignoring others’ preferences

Those who mean well but go too far often overrule others. 

This can be quite subtle and it’s not always going to be evident. They tend to be very nice about it and smile and nod but then just do what they think is best, anyway. 

They tend to ignore others’ preferences or choices, assuming they know what’s best for them.

In a work setting, particularly, this can be highly annoying. 

9) Expecting gratitude

It’s not just that these overbearing people think they know best and tend to override the decisions of others. 

They also often expect gratitude or recognition for their help or advice, even if it wasn’t requested or appreciated by others.

Because what they do is well-intentioned, the idea that it wasn’t well-received or wanted doesn’t really occur to them, (and they don’t take criticism well as noted). 

They expect thanks and get quite confused and hurt if they don’t get it. 

10) Not taking ‘no’ for an answer

Well-intentioned but overbearing individuals frequently have difficulty accepting ‘no’ as an answer.

They keep going until they get their way, hanging back for a bit and then reemerging. 

Regardless of the context, however, they tend to be very “nice” about this and not make a big show of it, leading others to sometimes overlook their pushiness or take a long time to notice it. 

11) Not respecting boundaries

Well-intentioned but overbearing individuals often don’t respect boundaries as much as they should.

Whether it’s personal space or emotional boundaries, they encroach and insert their words, actions and opinions into the space of other people. 

They feel like they have a right to intervene, and they often try to save people from themselves. 

This brings me to the next point: 

12) Being overly involved in others’ lives

They frequently involve themselves too much in others’ personal affairs, acting as if they are the judge and jury about what’s going on.

This can reach the point of gossip and being a busybody.

If you’re the target it can be downright upsetting as you deal with somebody who thinks they’re being supportive when it can feel invasive.

13) Projecting their values onto others

Part of the issue with overbearing people is that they often have strong principles or beliefs which they push onto others. 

They don’t realize or internalize the fact that their own life path is just that – theirs. Not everybody shares their values or journey. 

They may project their own values onto others, assuming everyone should prioritize the same things they do, and if you’re the target of this it can be extremely disconcerting. 

14) Being overly sensitive to criticism

Another subtle sign of a well-meant, but overbearing person, is that they don’t take well to criticism. 

Although they may smile and nod in understanding if you offer some less-than-positive feedback, it’s clear that it’s cut them deep. 

They tend to become defensive and hide in their shell in response to criticism, which can hinder open communication.

You are then in a position of feeling like you have to be more appreciative and accepting of their help or you risk causing them to leave and withdraw fully from your life.