4. Their Jokes Always Cut — Even When They Laugh
They tease you in public. Poke fun at your clothes, your weight, your memory, your opinions — always followed by, “Relax, I’m just kidding!”
But you don’t laugh. Because it hurts.
You have every right to say: “That didn’t feel funny to me.”
5. They Compete With You in Everything
If you mention your new gardening project, they tell you about the award they won for landscaping. If you’re proud of your grandchild’s college admission, they interrupt with their own family brag.
It’s not about sharing — it’s about outshining.
This kind of constant comparison reveals insecurity. They see you not as a companion, but as a rival. In the long run, it becomes exhausting.
6. They Seem Unbothered When You Struggle
You have a tough day. A health scare. A disappointment.
And they’re… fine.
Worse, they seem comfortable — almost pleased — with your misfortune.
They might say, “I figured that would happen,” or offer an oddly calm silence when you expected compassion. Watch for that slight smile or shrug when you’re hurting. It’s a red flag that they’re not rooting for you at all.
