11 Phrases That Put Fake People in Their Place

Conserving your energy and creating a strong inner circle revolves around healthy boundaries. What kind of respect are you willing to demand? What energy or language can you not tolerate? This all starts with recognizing bad or narcissistic patterns of behavior and then restating your expectations.

Luckily, there are a few ways to spot the fake people in your life who tend to be selfish, insecure, and sometimes narcissistic. A study on Personality and Individual Differences. By using statements that put fake people in their place, you can reinforce important boundaries, increase your self-esteem, and protect yourself from their negative energy.

Here are 11 sentences that put fake people in their place

1. ‘Can you repeat this?’

Two women are arguing with each other on the porch. MDV Edwards | shutterstock.com

operating from a place of inherent distrustFake people often do not respond when crowded or repeat something they know is extremely hurtful or offending. They are more concerned about external validation and asserting their superiority by pushing others to stand on their own feet with a toxic comment.

Ask them to repeat those comments, even if it’s just a passive put-down. Not only are you removing their misguided power over what should be a balanced and productive conversation, you are also reminding them of your humanity and your ability to advocate for yourself.

2. ‘Did you mean condescending?’

The woman looked annoyed while talking to a friend. Antonio Guillem | shutterstock.com

A tried and true way to protect yourself from fake people and put them in their place is to remind them of the respect you expect in every conversation. There will be fake people taking advantage of people around youEven with something as simple as a self-protective, hurtful comment that they know they won’t be called out on.

Don’t be the person who sits with these comments and their negative energy and puts your own feelings aside for the sake of “keeping the peace.” Instead, reassert your boundaries, give them a chance to apologize or rephrase their comments, and demand the respect you deserve.

3. ‘You look upset about something.’

The blonde woman looked sad while talking to a man. SynthEx | shutterstock.com

Accordingly trauma coach Manya WakefieldFake people, especially those with narcissistic tendencies, tend to shift blame and victimize themselves when they are “called out” for hurtful comments and behavior. Instead of falling into their defensive trapConsider getting this out of the way in conversations first, addressing their hostility with a simple statement like “You seem upset about something.”

Is there something they are genuinely upset about, or are they spewing negative energy from a toxic, selfish, or malicious place? Remind them that you have the ability to recognize their negative energy and behavior, address it, and humanize yourself in the face of their falseness.

4. ‘Don’t talk to me that way’

The woman turned around and raised her hand to a friend. Prostock studio | shutterstock.com

Creating space and embracing solitude as peace can be incredibly useful applications For people in toxic relationships with fake people. Like many other expressions that put fake people in their place, they tend to rely on confrontation or direct communication to “point out” negative comments and behavior, although this one can be more passive.

You may make space, walk away, and refuse to engage with someone who targets you negatively. Fake people and fake relationships can leave deep wounds in our hearts and peace. motivational speaker and author Liane Holliday Willeyso don’t let their guilt about eliminating yourself stop you from creating that intentional space just for yourself.

5. ‘Can we find common ground without insults?’

Woman looks annoyed while talking on the phone and looking at her laptop. Fizkes | shutterstock.com

While it may seem impossible for some, especially those currently in a toxic relationship or friendship, you are in control of creating the reality you imagine. If your friends disappoint you, your partner uses hurtful comments to gain the upper hand, or you constantly encounter fake people in your life, you have the power to find peace again.

It starts with self-respect and confidence. Adopt practices that ensure your own identity, emotional health, and well-being, so you can approach these harmful conversations with strong expectations about the behaviors you will tolerate.

Everyone is missing find common experiences and interests So finding common ground can be helpful. But remember to consider these boundaries and expectations, too, never sacrificing respect for the sake of a misguided connection.

6. ‘No’

The man looked upset while talking on the phone. Prostock studio | shutterstock.com

For fake friends and relationships, especially those who tend to take advantage of your kindness or empathy, consider this: using this simple assertion to set a limit. You will not tolerate disrespect, you will not be used, and you will not continue to celebrate the negative energy and mood swings of a fake person. Remember: “No” is a complete sentence.

Accordingly psychologist dr. Sabrina RomanoffIt’s important to use these types of boundaries with fake people, especially if your relationship with them seems healthy and happy. As their behavior becomes more toxic and our lives become negatively affected by their actions, reminding them (and yourself) what you will tolerate can save you from a bad and resentful experience.

7. ‘A real friend wouldn’t say something this hurtful.’

Mother consoling her sad little daughter on the couch. DimaBerlin | shutterstock.com

While setting boundaries and “keeping the peace” may seem like grandiose practices in your relationships that require a lot of thought, energy, and time, the truth is that you can instantly stop the toxic behavior of your fake friends and partners. Don’t be afraid to both call them out on their behavior and refuse to publicly apologize for a hurtful insult.

Accordingly clinical psychologist and author Alice Boyes Ph.D.Leading yourself in your life with compassion and empathy can move you forward in maintaining your emotional health, especially during relationship challenges and conflict. Instead of meeting the demands and needs of others, you work to achieve a level of self-confidence that motivates you to better define your boundaries.

8. ‘This is how I feel’

Two young men are having a serious discussion together. Motorized Movies | shutterstock.com

Some People prefer a clean cut with a toxic friendto make room to move away from them and preserve their energy without being distracted or tempted by conflict. However, if you have just begun to notice some toxic traits in a potentially fake person, especially one with whom you have already developed a relationship, consider sharing your feelings right now.

It may help to express your feelings about hurtful behaviors or comments rather than rejecting or pushing them away. This may not help them continue to place blame and may cause some defensiveness, but at least you were able to communicate how you felt and bring it out.

like life coach Laura K. Connell recommends:Toxic people can encourage us to shut down and avoid open and honest communication; Don’t let this energy affect you.

9. ‘This doesn’t seem productive to me right now.’

Old woman looks angry at her adult daughter. Fizkes | shutterstock.com

Many fake people will fuel conflict and disagreements only to victimize themselves later. If you feel like your kindness is being abused or you’re constantly fighting with a fake person in your life, take a step back. Remove yourself from the situation, remind them that you are only interested in productive and honest conversations, and leave them to calm down on their own.

When you are confident in yourself and your relationships, and have high standards for yourself and your relationships, fake people have nothing to hold on to. Let them figure out another way to assert their misguided superiority.

10. ‘You bring out the worst version of me’

Two young women looking sad are sitting together on the couch. Krakenimages.com | shutterstock.com

Sometimes honesty is the best policy, even in a relationship you know is headed for death. Friends should always bring out the best in you, at least on a daily basis. If you constantly feel resentful, defensive and insecure around someone, The problem is probably not you.but the unhealthy dynamic that you both contribute to the relationship.

If your friends are looking for an explanation for why you need space (something you don’t have to give but can help set an expectation), use something like “You’re bringing out the worst in me.” With its potential to start over and mediate conflicts, it not only helps you clear up misunderstandings in your relationship, but also sets the tone for a breakup.

Take care of yourself first, and if that means cutting off a friendship or relationship in the name of healing, so be it.

11. ‘That was rude’

Two young women walking and talking together looking sad. YEAST LABORATORY | shutterstock.com

While it is possible that someone’s negative energy has become second nature to them and they are not truly aware that it is harming others, many fake people feel better about themselves when they are bringing other people down. This is a deliberate choice they make in every conversation.

By pointing out their behavior and reasserting the boundaries of respect, whether intentional or not, you can break the habit and remind them that you demand a certain type of behavior in your relationships. like Life coach Patricia Bonnard explainsProtecting yourself from negative energy not only affects your self-esteem and relationships, but also your physical and mental health.

Zayda Slabbekoorn is a news and entertainment writer at YourTango, focusing on health and wellness, social policy and human interest stories.