10 Subtle Signs Someone Dislikes You But Pretends to Like You

Discover 10 subtle signs someone dislikes you but pretends to like you, and learn how to spot fake friendliness behaviours to protect your emotional well-being.

In life, not everyone who smiles at us truly likes us. It’s unfortunate, but some people hide their true feelings behind a mask of friendliness. These behaviours can be subtle, making it hard to detect their hidden dislike. Could it be that they secretly dislike you but don’t want to show it? The truth is, there are subtle signs someone dislikes you, and they can be easy to miss. In this article, we’ll explore these signs in detail, breaking them down so that even a casual observer can recognize them. But before diving into this topic first we need to understand, Why Is It Important to Spot Fake Friendliness ?

Why Is It Important to Spot Fake Friendliness ?

We live in a world where social interactions play a huge role in both personal and professional life. Recognizing when someone is displaying fake friendliness behaviours is important because it helps us maintain relationships that are healthy and genuine. Nobody wants to waste time on people who don’t value them, so spotting the subtle signs someone dislikes you but pretends otherwise can save you a lot of emotional energy.

Now, let’s uncover these behaviours and see what’s really going on behind that smile.

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1) Overdoing Niceties: When Too Nice Feels Fake

We’ve all been there—someone compliments you so much that it starts to feel forced. Over-the-top compliments and excessive politeness can actually be fake friendliness behaviour’s. Sure, it might seem like they’re being supportive, but it could also be a cover for something deeper. How to tell if someone secretly dislikes you but pretends to like you? Pay attention to whether their compliments feel genuine or overdone.

When i was in college, I had a colleague who would constantly compliment me, but it felt forced. Over time, I realized she was trying to hide her dislike for me while maintaining the illusion of friendliness. Watch out for people who seem to go overboard — they might be using niceness as a cover.

2) Body Language: When Actions Speak Louder Than Words

We all know the saying, “actions speak louder than words.” Body language is one of the easiest ways to catch subtle signs someone dislikes you. Someone can be smiling at you, but if their arms are crossed, they lean away, or their feet point away from you, their body might be giving away their true feelings. Non-verbal cues, like avoiding physical closeness or tense posture, often reveal discomfort or disinterest.

In one personal experience, I noticed a friend who would greet me warmly but would always stand with her feet pointing away from me. Her facial expressions didn’t match her physical posture, which eventually led me to realize her friendliness was a front.

3) Avoiding Eye Contact: Hiding the Truth

Eye contact is key to building trust. When someone avoids making direct eye contact with you, it’s a sign they might be hiding something. How to tell if someone secretly dislikes you but pretends to like you? Watch their eyes. People who dislike you will often look away during conversations or keep their gaze distant. This is because avoiding eye contact can be a subconscious way to avoid revealing their real feelings.

4) Never Initiating Contact: A One-Sided Relationship

If you find that you’re always the one reaching out, texting, or initiating plans, it might be one of the subtle signs someone dislikes you. In healthy relationships, both people should put in the effort to stay in touch. But if you’re always making the first move and they rarely reciprocate, it’s likely because they don’t value the relationship as much as they let on.

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5) Steering Conversations Away from You: Disinterest

Another of the fake friendliness behaviors is when someone constantly changes the topic when it’s about you. Have you ever noticed how some people never ask about your day or avoid discussing your achievements? That’s because they’re not genuinely interested in your life. This disinterest is a clear sign that they don’t care as much as they might pretend.

In many cases, they’ll steer the conversation back to themselves or a neutral topic to avoid diving deeper into your experiences. If someone never asks you about your life, it’s a red flag.

6) They Don’t Celebrate Your Success: Indifference or Jealousy

Real friends and genuine colleagues will share in your happiness. If someone reacts indifferently to your achievements or downplays your successes, it’s one of the subtle signs someone dislikes you. They may even change the subject quickly to avoid celebrating with you.

In my experience, when I shared exciting news with someone who only gave me a half-hearted “that’s nice” and immediately moved on to another topic, I realized they weren’t as supportive as they appeared to be.

7) Quick to Criticize: Harsh Without Helpfulness

There’s a fine line between constructive criticism and destructive comments. If someone is constantly criticizing you without offering helpful advice, they may be revealing their hidden dislike for you. People who secretly dislike you often use criticism as a way to undermine your confidence.

I had a colleague who always found something wrong with my work, even when others praised it. Their critiques were never helpful and often felt personal. This is a classic example of someone using criticism to mask their true feelings and fake friendliness behaviours.

8) Always Agreeing With You: Superficial Connections

It might feel nice when someone agrees with you all the time, but it can actually be one of the fake friendliness behaviours. If they never challenge your ideas or offer a different perspective, it could mean they’re avoiding deeper engagement. Real relationships thrive on healthy discussions and occasional disagreements.

If someone never disagrees with you, it’s worth questioning why they’re keeping the conversation so superficial. This is often their way of hiding true emotions while maintaining surface-level interactions.

9) They’re Always “Too Busy” for You: Avoidance

If someone consistently cancels plans or claims to be too busy to spend time with you, it’s likely they’re avoiding you. How to tell if someone secretly dislikes you but pretends to like you? Watch how often they make excuses. We all have busy schedules, but people who truly care will make time for you. If they’re always “too busy,” they’re probably trying to create distance.

10) Lack of Interest in Getting to Know You: Emotional Detachment

The clearest of all subtle signs someone dislikes you is their disinterest in getting to know you better. If they never ask about your thoughts, feelings, or experiences, it’s a sign they don’t care about developing a deeper relationship. Fake friendliness behaviours often include keeping conversations shallow and avoiding any personal connection.

Conclusion: Spot the Signs, Protect Your Peace

Recognizing the subtle signs someone dislikes you can help you protect yourself from emotionally draining relationships. Whether it’s avoiding eye contact, excessive criticism, or never initiating contact, these fake friendliness behaviors can be indicators of hidden dislike. By staying aware of these signs, you can focus on building authentic connections with people who genuinely value your presence.