“The Epitome Of Selfishness”: 50 People Who Took Being Inconsiderate To Another Level

We've all had a selfish moment or two in our lives. Maybe we were running late and cut the queue in traffic. Perhaps we forgot to return something we borrowed. Or we interrupted a colleague while they were speaking. It could be that we arrived late and let others wait for us. Whatever the sin, if it was a once-off, and you acknowledge your behavior, all might be forgiven.

But that's not what this listicle is about. Over here, we are talking about the chronic offenders who consistently operate without a care in the world for others. The "me first, you never" crowd. Those who lack common decency, common courtesy, and common sense when it comes to living in a world inhabited by more than 8 billion other people.

Why is it that some of us understand that it's not always all about us, while the bad apples simply don't get it?

“Inconsiderate behavior is when people do or say things that lack regard for others’ feelings or wishes or even their rights,” says Natalie Dattilo, PhD, a clinical psychologist and instructor at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

Whether it's leaving a messy house for your roommates to clean, having a loud conversation when someone needs quiet, or belittling a friend’s opinions, inconsiderate behavior is everywhere.

There are several reasons certain people might act this way. One of them is a basic lack of empathy, meaning they just don’t understand or appreciate the impact of their actions on others. Their self-centeredness and heightened focus on their own personal needs or desires cause them to disregard the feelings and perspectives of others.

Sometimes this Main Character Syndrome develops during adulthood. Other times, it's been there since these folks were little kids.

"Early interactions with caregivers and friends influence how much we prioritize others' needs," explains the Berkeley Well-Being Institute. "For example, if we were around adults who were inconsiderate or selfish, we tend to adopt these behavioral patterns in our own lives."

In other cases, cultural or environmental factors can also play a role if the person comes from a background where entitlement or selfishness is the societal norm.

A traumatic childhood can also cause someone to become self-centered, selfish, and inconsiderate. Survivors may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms and find it challenging to be considerate of others.

Of course, mental health issues can also play a big part. "Bipolar disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or autism spectrum disorder can also contribute to an inability to put oneself in someone else’s shoes," explain the experts at everydayhealth.com. "When someone (especially a stranger) behaves rudely, it may be due to psychological factors we know nothing about."

The Berkeley Well-Being Institute adds that stress and external pressures can also contribute to inconsiderate behavior.

"When we’re overwhelmed by our own challenges, we tend to neglect the needs of others," notes the site, explaining that research shows that people behave more selfishly and less pro-socially when they’re stressed or anxious.

Sometimes, inconsiderateness comes down to basic insecurity.

“When individuals feel insecure or have a lack of self-confidence, they may use inconsiderate behaviors as a defense mechanism or as a way to cope with their insecurities,” explains Natalie Jambazian, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Sherman Oaks, California.

Apart from shaming people online, how can we deal with the inconsiderate behavior of others?

According to Dattilo, if the person is a stranger, it's best to just let it slide. "Just brush off their rudeness, realize it’s not about you, and focus on being the best version of you possible," suggests the expert. "No need to comment, remark, or reply."

Of course, if the inconsiderate person is someone you know, you might want to handle things differently. "Start by communicating with them how their behavior makes you feel," Datillo advises. "For example, 'When you play loud music while I’m trying to work, I feel frustrated, and it makes me think you don’t care about my needs or my career.'"