A narcissist will exhibit certain consistent patterns in a relationship due to their personality traits and behaviors. While each individual is unique, here are some common things that a narcissist is less likely to do in a relationship:
Take Responsibility: Narcissists often struggle to admit when they are wrong or take responsibility for their mistakes. They may avoid acknowledging their faults and may shift blame onto others instead.
Show Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Narcissists generally lack empathy and have difficulty genuinely understanding and caring about their partner's emotions.
Prioritize Your Needs: A narcissist's primary focus is usually on their own needs, desires, and accomplishments. They may not prioritize your well-being or support your goals and aspirations in the relationship.
Engage in Compromise: Narcissists often have an all-or-nothing approach to relationships. They may be unwilling to compromise or negotiate on issues, believing that their preferences should always take precedence.
Respect Boundaries: Narcissists may struggle to respect personal boundaries and might invade your privacy or push your limits to meet their own needs.
Handle Criticism Well: Narcissists are typically highly sensitive to criticism and may react defensively or aggressively when confronted with any form of criticism or feedback.
Give Genuine Compliments: While narcissists may give compliments or praise, it is often done to manipulate or control the other person rather than genuine appreciation.
Apologize Sincerely: Even if a narcissist apologizes, it might be insincere or used as a tool to get what they want, rather than a true expression of remorse.
Allow Healthy Independence: Narcissists may try to control or limit your independence and autonomy in the relationship, as they fear losing their sense of power and importance.
Maintain Consistent Emotional Connection: Narcissists might struggle to maintain a consistent emotional connection with their partner. They may be emotionally distant or emotionally unavailable at times.
It's essential to remember that narcissistic tendencies can exist on a spectrum, and not all individuals with narcissistic traits will display all these behaviors. However, if you find yourself in a relationship with someone who consistently exhibits these patterns and it's negatively affecting your well-being, it may be necessary to consider seeking support and potentially distancing yourself from the relationship for your own mental and emotional health.