There is a saying that you can determine where someone will be five years from now by the type of people he walks with and the sort of books he reads. On the journey of life, especially on campus, if you really want to progress, there are people you must try all within your means to avoid. Here are the worst of the poisonous personalities out there and how to spot them:
1. Manipulative MAVIS: These individuals are specialists at manipulation tactics. As a matter of fact, you may not even realize you have been manipulated until it is too late. These individuals figure out what your ‘buttons’ are, and push them to get what they want.
Why they are toxic: These people have a way of eating away at your belief system and self-esteem. They find ways to make you do things that you don’t necessarily want to do and before you know it, you lose your sense of identity, your personal priorities and your ability to see the reality of the situation.
2. Narcissistic Nancy: These people have an extreme sense of self-importance and believe that the world revolves around them. They are often not as sly as the Manipulative MAVISs of the world, but instead, tend to be a bit overt about getting their needs met. You often want to say to them “It isn’t always about you.”
Why they are toxic: They are solely focused on their needs, leaving your needs in the dust. You are left disappointed and unfulfilled.
3. DERRICK Downers: These people can’t appreciate the positive in life. If you tell them that it is a beautiful day, they will tell you about the impending bad weather.
Why they are toxic: They take the joy out of everything. Your rosy outlook on life continues to get squashed with negativity. Before you know it, their negativity consumes you and you start looking at things negatively.
4. Judgmental JOHNS: When you see things as cute and peculiar, they see things as strange and unattractive. If you find people’s unique perspectives refreshing, they find them ‘wrong’. Why they are toxic: Judgmental people are much like DERRICK Downers. Spending a lot of time with these types can inadvertently convert you into a judgmental person as well.
5. Dream Killing KATE: Every time you have an idea, these people tell you why you can’t do it. As you achieve, they try to pull you down. As you dream, they are the first to tell you it is impossible.
Why they are toxic: These people are stuck in what is instead of what could be. Further, these individuals eat away at your self-esteem and your belief in yourself. Progress and change can only occur from doing new things and innovating, dreaming the impossible and reaching for the stars.
6. Insincere IRENE: You never quite feel that these people are being sincere. You tell a funny story, they give you a polite laugh. They never tell the truth.
Why they are toxic: People who aren’t sincere or genuine build relationships on superficial criteria. When you really need constructive criticism, they would rather tell you that you are great the way you are.
7. Disrespectful DUFIE: These people will say or do things at the most inappropriate times and in the most inappropriate ways. In essence, they are more subtle, grown up bullies. Maybe this person is a friend who you confided in and uses your secret against you.
Why they are toxic: These people have no sense of boundaries and don’t respect your feelings or, for that matter, your privacy. These people will cause you to feel frustrated and disrespected.
8. Never Enough NATHAN: You can never give enough to these people to make them happy. They take you for granted and have unrealistic expectations of you. They find ways to continually fault you and never take responsibility for anything themselves.
Why they are toxic: You will spend so much time trying to please them that you will end up losing yourself in the process.
Frankly, life is too short to spend your time dealing with these dangerous beings. If you can, avoid spending much time with people who are indicative of these behaviours and you’ll feel a lot happier.
