Everyone loves to pretend they are mature, emotionally evolved adults… until they do something that is delightfully petty. One thing is for sure: those actions say more about you than your inspirational quotes ever will. Petty behaviors tend to be raw and honest and can show glimpses into the chaotic personality of your inner self. Whether you are screenshotting receipts (out of spite) for later warfare or refusing to text first out of pure principle, your pettiness is basically your personality in high definition. This list is going to expose your petty self!
Leaving People on ‘Read’ Just Because You Can
You received the message. You saw it. And you remembered it after reading and had all the time needed to reply, yet you simply allowed it to sit. You do this, and the adrenaline rush you get might be great, but leaving a person on read shows that you love having control and power, especially during conversations. Yeah, you are not being mean directly, you just enjoy creating suspense. You are craving for others to know you aren’t always reachable or available – even if you absolutely are.
Rewriting Your Text Three Times So You Don’t Look Desperate
You type the paragraph. And then you delete it. You rewrite it shorter. And then? Even shorter. Now you sound cold, detached, and even a bit mysterious. This type of behavior indicates a severe lack of confidence, which is often accompanied by perfectionism. You strive to look as though your life is effortless, while internally you are going insane from all of your “petty” emotions. And what does it give you in return? Yes, frustration, anxiety, depression, you name it.
Taking 3 Days to Reply Because They Took 2
Petty math is a very real thing. If they delay a bit, you delay more. If they were dry, you would become literally Sahara-level dry. If you continue to use petty math, it shows an obsessive nature regarding fairness, especially towards the other person’s response, to the point where it may become almost unhealthy. But you are really not trying to hurt them. You just want them to feel their own behaviour back – like a karmic mirror.
Pretending You Didn’t Hear Someone Just to Make a Point
You literally heard them loud and clear. But you let that “Huh?” sit in the air because you had a bad conversation with them five minutes earlier. Ignoring someone mid-conversation is elite class pettiness. Also, it is a sign that you hate direct confrontation. Instead of confronting someone, you ignore them so that you can confuse them into silence.
Closing the Door Slightly Harder When You’re Annoyed
No, you’re not ‘slamming’ the door; you’re simply letting the door know that you’re irritated. That thud you heard? It’s the equivalent of yelling into a pillow, only you’re giving your mind a little ‘kick’ in order to process what’s going on. This petty action indicates you are a little dramatic; however, your drama is more restrained and less messy. Therefore, you want people to know you’re annoyed without actually having to say it out loud. A classy tantrum.
Doing Housework While Giving the Silent Treatment
When giving someone the silent treatment, you may still be doing household chores, such as cleaning, cooking, and refilling the water jug, etc. While you do these tasks, you may not be communicating with the person whom you are ignoring, but they are still being treated with respect and dignity. This shows that you dislike conflict but are passionate about sending a message – you want others to know that you are upset, but also that you are above and way better than them.
Saying “It’s Fine” When It’s Absolutely Not Fine
This is the final boss of pettiness – telling someone, “It’s fine,” while using an excessively calm tone that doesn’t accurately convey your level of agitation. This comment is extremely passive-aggressive, but it is also punishing; when you tell someone, “It’s fine,” you leave no explanation. You don’t want to explain your feelings – you want them to realise. Although it is petty behavior, it is also a reflection of your fear of being vulnerable. You want to be close to people, but you don’t want to ask for that closeness, so you use polite language to accomplish that goal.
7 Things People Do in Public That Reveal Deep Insecurity
Once you start to spot them, you can’t unsee them. So let’s be a bit savage (yet honest) and explore the 7 things people do in public that shout, “Validate me, I’m crumbling on the inside.”
7 Things People Do in Public That Reveal Deep Insecurity