People Who Are Genuinely Easy To Be Around Usually Don't Do 8 Things In Casual Conversation
Pragyan Bezbaruah | Pexels People who are genuinely easy to be around are magnetic because of their emotional intelligence. They truly care what people have to say and are secure enough to listen.
Along with making others feel included, there are many things they do to make conversations a safe place, and there are just as many behaviors you'll hardly ever catch them doing in casual interactions.
Things people who are easy to be around hardly ever do in conversations
1. Interrupt other people when they're talking
Dmytro Zinkevych | Shutterstock
Even when they're unintentional, interruptions convey a feeling of superiority to others. You're basically saying "I think what I have to say is more important than what you do" to whoever you're speaking to.
While it can be hard to hold onto a thought or regulate emotions during an argument, not interrupting is how people build trust.
The best people to be around make a strong effort not to interrupt. They're also actually listening, instead of just waiting for their turn to speak. It's clear they care about what you have to say.
2. Try to win an argument at all costs
When someone tries to win an argument or prove that they're right, they miss out on the kind of conflict resolution that's actually good for everyone's health. But someone you can trust to be an active listener and actually hear what you have to say never tries to prove anything.
Yes, they're going to say their piece, but not to invalidate someone else's voice. Whether it's an argument with a close friend or a disagreement at work, they're a safe space for even the hardest conversations.
3. Exclude people intentionally
Social pain and rejection are wildly intense emotions, especially in a social context around other people. People who are easy to be around make a genuine effort to never leave anyone out.
No matter the circumstances or environment, they do whatever they can to make everyone feel seen and heard. Whether that's physically opening up their body language or calling someone into a group by name, they go out of their way to be welcoming.
4. Use their phones when talking to someone
The mere presence of a phone in a conversation can distract people in a conversation and push them apart. It makes speakers feel like someone's not listening, sparking perceptions of disrespect and annoyance.
Nobody wants to have a conversation with someone who needs their phone in their hand at all times or can't help but check it when there's a short pause. We want to feel heard when we're around other people, and the impulsive need to check a phone sabotages that.
5. Fake their emotions
PeopleImages | Shutterstock
The best people in conversations are consistently themselves. They have a warm, welcoming presence. You don't have to worry that they're going to get angry or defensive when you come to them with an issue. You know what to expect, and that's a comforting feeling.
Even in the workplace, this kind of warmth boosts expectations and connection. People want to be around this kind of demeanor because it brings a better side out of them.
6. Overshare awkwardly
Despite being a survival instinct and a coping mechanism for many people battling anxiety, oversharing usually leaves everyone feeling uncomfortable. It might create a misleading sense of closeness between two people who feel disconnected, but most of the time, it's off-putting and strange.
People who are easy to be around never pressure anyone into vulnerable conversations without warning. Especially with people they just met, they've mastered the art of depth in conversations without getting too emotional.
7. Make people feel bad for their opinions
It's easy to get into an unnecessary argument with someone who immediately becomes defensive when someone doesn't share their beliefs. Yes, there are plenty of values that are inherently personal and emotional, but hard conversations and actively trying to understand another person's perspective is essential.
We feel most comfortable around people who just listen. It doesn't mean you have to agree with them or change their mind. Just listening and giving them a safe space is good enough.
The easiest people to spend time with do all of these things well. They don't demonize someone's differences. They create space for nuance. They enjoy learning.
8. Talk about other people in a negative, catty way
KaterynaUKR | Shutterstock
The least interesting people are usually the ones who spread rumors and speak negatively about others. They have nothing of substance to bring to the table, so they cling to what they know about other people to feign a misguided connection.
But people who are easy to trust and be around never do this. Yes, they might vent about people or share their emotions to close friends, but they're never going to throw someone under the bus to cope with disconnection or awkwardness in a conversation.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor's degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
