Why are some people so critical and so quick to write off others?

Question

I generally try to make it a point to not dislike someone unless he/she has done or said something bad to me or to someone I care about. I even may find some people annoying, but I still don't necessarily dislike them. Rather, I make it a point to tell myself that I can stand them, but only in small doses. However, I've met some people who are very critical and very quick to write off people they don't really even know without giving them a chance. Why? Almost everyone has some good qualities, so it shouldn't be so hard to give them a chance.

Answer 1

Sometimes it's a way for people to make themselves feel better. A lot of times it is how they cover up what they consider their own inadiquacies. Or, they could just be so self-absorbed, that they are unwilling to consider that there are other people in the world besides themselves that can actually contribute something to society. I have met some people personally that truly believe that if they were not around the Earth would cease to exist. I recently found a quote which I absolutely love because I think it applies to self-absorbed people such as these - "There are thousands of stars in thousands of galaxies in thousands of universes that all revolve around one thing...that one thing is NOT you." Sometimes people are also critical because they can't be bothered to take the time to try to understand anything about others or people that they think are outside the "norm" because they don't like to step outside of their comfort zone. They do not like to do anything different regardless of how coldhearted or rude or mean it makes them appear to others, or how it makes others fell. Again, these people are usually dealing with their own issues of inadiquacy or low self-esteem or something along those lines.

Answer 2

I too feel the same way. If 10 people I know dislike someone, I will give that person a chance until they do something "mean" to me. On the other hand, I have spent too many years of my life being good to people and then having them turn around and shi* on me. Now that I'm older and grown, I simply don't have time for liars, big mouths, judgmental people etc. Once something happens, I write them off and then it is one less thing for me to worry about. Yes I have lost friendships over this, but in the long run, it turned out to be an emotionally healthy move for me.

Answer 3

Some people do not feel good about themselves (despite appearances) and the only way they can big themselves up is to put down others. Its very shortsighted and actually has the opposite effect to what they really want...ie to be popular and liked;