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See many faults in others

36 replies

Blackleatherhandbags · 01/03/2025 15:42

I have this vice that always seems to have been there, I can early on and without really any effort see the weaknesses in others, even those they try to hide. By that I mean the things that cause them to behave not at their best.

It is making life hard for me because I have not been able to keep friends, I am quite sensitive and easily upset and find it easier to isolate away from others for my own emotional safety.

Is this something I need to do something about. It seems to be quite ingrained in my personality.

OP posts:
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FlipFlopsSpots · 02/03/2025 05:51

Blackleatherhandbags · 01/03/2025 16:02

I quietly remove myself.

Why? We all have weaknesses, it's part of being human. Why remove yourself? Just accept people for who they are, warts an' all

BTW, it's not unusual for people to see other people's strengths and weaknesses, most are relatively obvious! We all notice these things don't we? Though I'm not sure.most people would describe it as that. Most people just call these strengths and weaknesses a 'personality' and understand we r all.different.

...and what's a weakness to you, may be seen as a strength to others. You are not judge and jury. You maybe need to reframe all the 'weaknesses' you see as 'traits' or facets of someone's personality and start embracing the value of difference rather than judging others so harshly OP.

Wishitwasstraightforward · 02/03/2025 05:47

Lonelyscarecrow · 01/03/2025 16:35

Just in case this might be helpful at all OP:
https://pete-walker.com/pdf/ShrinkingOuterCritic.pdf

His book on Complex PTSD is very good. Not saying you even have that but what you're saying made me think of the chapter I've attached.

Edited

@Lonelyscarecrow thank you very much for linking to that article. It was very very interesting and relatable.

Wishitwasstraightforward · 02/03/2025 05:24

My thoughts here hinge on the type of faults you're judging people on OP.

Some of those that you've mentioned I'd class as 'red flags' in which case you're wise to steer clear.

Other things you've mentioned are iMO flaws that are part of being human. None of us are perfect, we all have flaws and faults and IMO that is ok. Harsh judgement on oneself and other people is (again IMO) unhelpful and damaging. It's also unrealistic given no one is without flaws, and to expect that of oneself or others is exhausting.

I've realised in the last few years that all my close friends and people I'm drawn to seem to accept me just as I am, flaws and all. That acceptance is so empowering.

Similarly I accept them as they are. They are imperfect and I wouldn't have them any other way.

GoldenLegend · 01/03/2025 17:09

The number of times you say 'I', 'me', 'myself' makes me think you're quite self-absorbed.

YourEagerBiscuit · 01/03/2025 17:00

OkPedro · 01/03/2025 16:39

I understand op
I think people here are misinterpreting what you are saying. You don't think you are better than everyone else. It isn't about someone being a bit selfish or loud etc. It's seeing the horrible parts of certain people and being extra sensitive to it yes?

I am a recovering alcoholic and have learnt since I've been sober that my tolerance for people who are just not good people is very low. I now have a very small circle of people who are good for me and I'm good for them.

I don't tolerate bullshit. I would have been a big people pleaser desperate for people to like me. I've worked hard over the last couple of years to better my life and that means cutting out people I thought were good for me.

I absolutely have flaws I don't think I'm better than anyone else far from it.
I enjoy being by myself now. It's so much easier

I'm not sure people are interpreting this as op saying they are superior or better. They said early on they feel inferior. It's about the assumption non of the rest of us see and therefore put up with faults. Op talks about themself as having a special ability to see faults in others. But it sounds like they just can't tolerate faults in others. Some absolutely rightly so from their examples. It's the exceptionalism the op seems to think they have which is probably getting people's backs up.

While I'm absolutely for not putting up with crap from people, I personally don't have loads of friends so don't do this either. However if you see faults constantly which you can't overlook by default you will struggle to maintain relationships. It's a choice to be made. Most people see faults and make a decision or draw a line in terms of what the will tolerate as few people are perfect.

pizzaHeart · 01/03/2025 16:57

It sounds like you have very high standards and in a way quite demanding to yourself and others. Are you a perfectionist? Do you have children by the way?

MaidOfSteel · 01/03/2025 16:51

Blackleatherhandbags · 01/03/2025 16:14

Lies, competitiveness, miserliness, superiority, ingratitude, harshness, greed, suspicious nature, exploitation, invading others space and privacy… a few examples

How soon, after meeting a person, can you find these traits?

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 01/03/2025 16:48

Blackleatherhandbags · 01/03/2025 16:20

The opposite, I often feel inferior, part of the isolating is to spare others my faults

In that case I think maybe this is something that might be worth pursuing with a therapist. I have trouble figuring people out too sometimes.

Cucy · 01/03/2025 16:41

Do you get jealous easily?

I know a couple people like you and they’re incredibly insecure about themselves and jealous of everyone, so they see their faults.

They obviously don’t realise they’re insecure or realise they’re doing it but I guess it’s like a protection thing - focus on everyone else’s faults, so you feel better about yourself.

OkPedro · 01/03/2025 16:39

I understand op
I think people here are misinterpreting what you are saying. You don't think you are better than everyone else. It isn't about someone being a bit selfish or loud etc. It's seeing the horrible parts of certain people and being extra sensitive to it yes?

I am a recovering alcoholic and have learnt since I've been sober that my tolerance for people who are just not good people is very low. I now have a very small circle of people who are good for me and I'm good for them.

I don't tolerate bullshit. I would have been a big people pleaser desperate for people to like me. I've worked hard over the last couple of years to better my life and that means cutting out people I thought were good for me.

I absolutely have flaws I don't think I'm better than anyone else far from it.
I enjoy being by myself now. It's so much easier

queenMab99 · 01/03/2025 16:36

If you see their faults and their good points, weigh them up and always find them lacking, then you yourself are missing something, I think it might be humanity.

Lonelyscarecrow · 01/03/2025 16:35

Just in case this might be helpful at all OP:
https://pete-walker.com/pdf/ShrinkingOuterCritic.pdf

His book on Complex PTSD is very good. Not saying you even have that but what you're saying made me think of the chapter I've attached.

Anotheranothername · 01/03/2025 16:29

Blackleatherhandbags · 01/03/2025 16:16

How else does the neurodivergence manifest itself in this way?

I've actually just seen one of your updates about feeling inferior: that's me as well.

I actually feel out of kilter with people: as though they are part of a big club that I'm not a member of.
I have a terrible habit, which I make great efforts to curb, of staring at people. Sort of observing how they interact, their mannerisms etc . It's like watching a film.or a book. I'm somehow observing in them the social skills that I don't have. They seem at one with society, they know how to behave and I don't.

YourEagerBiscuit · 01/03/2025 16:29

StMarie4me · 01/03/2025 16:22

Do you think that the rest of us don't?

You accept people, warts and all, or you don't.

That's on you.

Yeah this. I see so many posts here or social media posts where people say things like you have in your op. As if you're really exceptional in your insight into others and the rest of us are all just unaware fools. It's not that. It's just you can't control others or makthem different. So you accept people as th are, have line for what you'll tolerate and get in with it. Otherwise as you allude to, you end up with no one in your life.

Blackleatherhandbags · 01/03/2025 16:22

Huckleberries · 01/03/2025 16:19

Okay, those are pretty serious

sounds like you've been unlucky

that said, I have a couple of friends who are a bit superior maybe. I dropped a boyfriend who I felt was really harsh. Bothered by different things I guess. Invading personal space would drive me nuts.

I do think most of us tell lies though e.g. "yes I really like your dress" when someone is fishing for compliments. Is that unacceptable to you?

I mean lies on the level of big untrue self aggrandisement sort

OP posts:
StMarie4me · 01/03/2025 16:22

Do you think that the rest of us don't?

You accept people, warts and all, or you don't.

That's on you.

Blackleatherhandbags · 01/03/2025 16:20

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 01/03/2025 15:59

Do you see your own faults and weaknesses as easily? Or do you believe yourself to be perfect? Because from your post you rather sound like you’ve may have a superiority complex, which is likely to prevent people wanting to be your friend.

The opposite, I often feel inferior, part of the isolating is to spare others my faults

OP posts:
Huckleberries · 01/03/2025 16:19

Blackleatherhandbags · 01/03/2025 16:14

Lies, competitiveness, miserliness, superiority, ingratitude, harshness, greed, suspicious nature, exploitation, invading others space and privacy… a few examples

Okay, those are pretty serious

sounds like you've been unlucky

that said, I have a couple of friends who are a bit superior maybe. I dropped a boyfriend who I felt was really harsh. Bothered by different things I guess. Invading personal space would drive me nuts.

I do think most of us tell lies though e.g. "yes I really like your dress" when someone is fishing for compliments. Is that unacceptable to you?

Blackleatherhandbags · 01/03/2025 16:18

I see the finer traits just as easily, I just don’t find them enough of a compensation to deal with the faults which I find unsettling and somewhat disregulating, it takes me ages to get over it

OP posts:
Blackleatherhandbags · 01/03/2025 16:16

Anotheranothername · 01/03/2025 16:09

Well I'm the same OP. I see the faults in people straight away but I'm exceptionally critical of myself. And I'm very sensitive and and find friendship very hard.
OP I'm an older person who has very recently been diagnosed as Autistic. I'm still coming to terms with the diagnosis but it's helping me to understand that these traits are part of the Autism. So to describe them as a vice is not correct. They are personality traits.

Do you think you might be neurodivergent?

How else does the neurodivergence manifest itself in this way?

OP posts:
Blackleatherhandbags · 01/03/2025 16:15

I believe others possibly keep people because they have much thicker skin, maybe

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 01/03/2025 16:14

JLou08 · 01/03/2025 15:53

I'm the opposite and always see the good in people, which isn't always great as it made me very naive. It helps me to think about their behaviour and the evidence that shows them as the person they are. Could you try looking at their behaviour to find their strengths as well as their faults to form a more balanced view of them.

I’m like this. It drives me mad!

Blackleatherhandbags · 01/03/2025 16:14

Huckleberries · 01/03/2025 16:07

Totally missed my point but let's try again

Okay, so what is a character flaw, in your book?

do you think everyone else keeps friendships because they can't see any flaws?

Lies, competitiveness, miserliness, superiority, ingratitude, harshness, greed, suspicious nature, exploitation, invading others space and privacy… a few examples

OP posts:
Magnalux · 01/03/2025 16:11

Everyone has flaws and weaknesses. If you’re waiting to find someone who hasn’t you’ll have a lonely time! Ignore the flaws (obviously within reason) focus on the good points of the person. There’s no perfect people out there waiting on you to befriend them

Anotheranothername · 01/03/2025 16:09

Well I'm the same OP. I see the faults in people straight away but I'm exceptionally critical of myself. And I'm very sensitive and and find friendship very hard.
OP I'm an older person who has very recently been diagnosed as Autistic. I'm still coming to terms with the diagnosis but it's helping me to understand that these traits are part of the Autism. So to describe them as a vice is not correct. They are personality traits.

Do you think you might be neurodivergent?