These people care far too much about what others think. Whenever they speak or take part in a particular action, they’ll scan the faces of those around them to determine how others think and feel about them. According to Psych Central, they’re looking for signs that other people accept who they are or what they’ve done. They’re looking for smiles, smirks, nods of approval, and even applause — whatever will help to validate that they’ve done a Good Job here.
In contrast, if they look around and notice that others are avoiding looking at them or turning away from them, indicating that they’ve made an embarrassing social gaffe, they’ll either swiftly change the subject or withdraw into themselves because they feel humiliated. They might even find an excuse to leave the area, either going for a protracted restroom break or suddenly being called away by an emergency at home that they need to attend to.
2. They cannot admit ignorance.
“I don’t know” isn’t in this person’s vocabulary. At all. They find it almost impossible to admit they’re wrong or that they don’t know something. In fact, they’re likely to bluster and play along as though they’re experts in any given subject, and will get aggressive or belligerent if anyone confronts them about their actual ignorance on the subject. Basically, they’re more likely to start insulting someone (or threaten to pummel them) to defend their own pride than admit that they don’t know what they’re talking about.
I once lived with someone who behaved in this manner, and he was incredibly difficult to deal with. He would never admit to not knowing something, and would use obfuscation or misdirection to distract those who tried to call him on his ignorance. Then, if pressed, he would simply start shouting in an attempt to overpower those whom he felt were disrespecting him.
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