Being around someone who constantly craves attention can be exhausting. They can’t handle being away from the spotlight and will do whatever they can to stay there, even if that means dragging you into their drama. The thing is, that’s not even the worst of their behaviors — attention seekers tend to drive everyone crazy by doing these things too.
1. They exaggerate all their stories.
To make sure all eyes are on them, attention seekers always like to add a bit of drama to their stories. So, they’ll say they had a “car wreck” when they drove over a curb or their hairdresser “butchered their hair” when their hair was cut a little shorter than usual. It’s so over the top, but they know the truth is a lot less exciting than the fantastical tales they come up with half the time.
2. They can cry on command.
An attention seeker knows how to play on people’s emotions, so they’ll often cry on command as if they have a button they can press that releases tears from their eyes. They might break down in sobs when retelling the story of someone who hurt them or when someone compliments them. What’s even creepier is that they can turn the waterworks off as quickly as they turn them on.
3. They fish for compliments.
It’s such an ego boost for attention seekers to get as much praise as possible. They’ll try to fish for as many compliments as they can, especially from new people they’ve met. So, they might say, “I’m not as attractive as that guy/woman over there” or “I suck at being thoughtful” in the hope that people will tell them just how great they are. It’s impossible not to roll your eyes around them. (P.S. If you’re sick of dealing with attention seekers in the dating world, check out our sister site, Sweetn. They’re changing the relationship game in some amazing ways.)
4. Their social media posts are filled with drama.
You sometimes read their long social media posts and it’s all vent, vent, vent! They use Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, etc. as their personal diary, with talking about certain people who have hurt them being a popular theme. You might sometimes worry that their attack is meant for you, and this is probably what they want.
5. They have a sob story for everything.
An attention seeker knows how to slip into victim mode to get attention and sympathy. They’ll talk about how cruel their partner’s family is to them or how hard they’re working, and it’s all to get you to feel sorry for them. Sometimes, while listening to them, you can’t help but wonder how much of what they’re saying is legit.
6. They interrupt you all the time.
Since an attention seeker can’t handle not being in the spotlight, they’ll try to interrupt you every time you start talking so they can take over the conversation again. They have a knack for cutting into what you’re saying or making comments in the middle of your story to make you or other people laugh. The problem is that what starts out as somewhat charming quickly becomes annoying.
7. They look bored when you speak.
When you get a turn to talk, the attention seeker in your group of friends will look bored or start looking at their phone. They might even excuse themselves to go to the bathroom — how rude! It’s clear they have no interest in the topic if they’re not dominating it. When there’s a lull in the convo and they can cut in again, they magically feel engaged again.
8. They turn everything into a joke.
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One of the best ways for them to get more attention is by using humor, so they’ll crack tons of jokes like they’re doing stand-up comedy. Sometimes their attempts fall flat and they get negative attention or people have to fake their laughter just to avoid a really awkward situation. The worst part is, they like even negative attention!
9. They only talk about themselves.
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Attention seekers are all about me, me, me. They want to talk about themselves, their experiences, and their favorite topics. Yawn. Sometimes, you feel like you can’t get a chance to talk about anything you want!
10. They dress to impress.
While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good, an attention seeker will always play up their appearance to get the most attention. If everyone in your friend group has decided to wear black to a wedding, the attention seeker will wear hot pink. If they’re a bridesmaid, they’ll ask the bride for a different dress so they stand out. Anything they can do to be the talk of the events they attend is good for them.
11. They flirt with everyone.
When in public, attention seekers will want to get the attention of anyone and everyone, not just those in their social circle. To do this, they’ll flirt up a storm with everyone they meet. It’s like a challenge for them to see how much attention they can get. This isn’t their natural personality — it’s put on to pull people in.
12. They dramatize their responses.
Attention seekers love drama! They love to make everything dramatic, from their facial expressions when telling you a story to throwing a temper tantrum in a store. Being around them can sometimes be chaotic. They’re so immature that you might be tempted to call a babysitter to look after them.
13. They date out of their league.
Attention seekers are drawn to people who don’t cloud their shine. They tend to date people who they think aren’t as attractive as them, or not as successful or popular. It’s all a competition, and they want to be the star of the show. They always have to be the ones with more power, control, and influence in the relationship or it doesn’t interest them. They refuse to be a wallflower.
14. They have an unhealthy love of selfies.
They’re the person who’ll take at least 10 selfies per day, in different poses and outfits. They seek external validation and will only feel good about themselves when people “like” their posts. While it’s cool to snap a few pics when you just got your hair cut or recently picked up a new outfit you feel great in, there has to be a limit.
15. They fake needing help.
To get attention, these people might sometimes feel like they have to fake needing help from others. They’ll pretend to be struggling and in distress just so they can have everyone talking about them and rushing to their aid, like. They’re also big fans of weaponized incompetence and will often pretend to be bad at something just so other people decide to chip in and help.
16. They’re big on shock value.
If attention seekers can’t get attention for positive things, they’ll resort to making shocking or controversial comments. While you used to fall for it, now you just roll your eyes at how far they’ll go to get their posts shared or get people asking them about whatever crazy thing they’ve said. It’s too much!
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