Friends can get on our nerves, and everyone’s a little selfish sometimes. But is your friend actually being entitled, or is it not that deep? We're here to help you decide.
Answer these questions about your friend and your relationship with them, and we'll give you an unbiased perspective on their behavior.
Questions Overview
- Yes, all the time!
- Sometimes, but not always.
- Not usually.
- Never.
- Yes, usually. They might even return the favor.
- Only sometimes.
- Never. They sort of take it for granted.
- Yes, but I like it that way, or I don't mind.
- Yes, and it annoys me.
- Not really. We're pretty equal there.
- Never. I'm usually the one taking the lead.
- Yes. They always pay attention to what I say.
- They usually pay attention.
- They don't usually pay attention.
- They never pay attention.
- Yes, it always feels like that.
- It sometimes feels like I'm being used.
- It never feels like I'm being used.
- They pout or complain.
- They try to compromise.
- They shrug it off and move on.
- They own up to it and try to make it better.
- They apologize, but that's about it.
- They pretend it didn't happen.
- They blame it on other people.
- Yes, they share even when I don't ask.
- Yes, they share when I ask.
- They sometimes share.
- They never share.
- Yes, all the time.
- Yes, sometimes.
- Only when that person deserves it.
- Not really.
- Never.
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- All the time.
- They try to get me to return the favor.
- They pretend like it's no big deal.
- They hold it over my head and use it to influence me.
- They don't really do nice things for me.
- Yes, many times.
- Yes, once or twice.
- No.
- I don't know, or I don't remember.
More Quizzes
That can be pretty annoying! It might be time to sit them down for a gentle talk about their behavior. Next time they act entitled, say something softly, like, \"That doesn't seem fair,\" or, \"Let's let someone else have a turn.\" Usually, all it takes is a gentle comment to snap them out of it. Or, you might consider spending a little less time with them, if it doesn't seem like they want to change their behavior. Whatever you decide, remember that you deserve your own peace and happiness, and if someone else is working against that, it's okay to set boundaries and stick to them.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Self-Entitled"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Stop-Attracting-Selfish-People-Who-Use-You"}],"link_data":[{"title":"What Does It Mean to Be Self-Entitled? Signs, Causes & More","id":13930127,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Self-Entitled","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Self-Entitled-Step-22.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Self-Entitled-Step-22.jpg","alt":"What Does It Mean to Be Self-Entitled? Signs, Causes & More"},{"title":"How to Stop Attracting Selfish People Who Use You","id":5960583,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Stop-Attracting-Selfish-People-Who-Use-You","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Change-a-Negative-Attitude-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Change-a-Negative-Attitude-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Stop Attracting Selfish People Who Use You"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":2,"text":"Your friend might be a little entitled.","meaning":"Based on your answers, it sounds like your friend might be a little entitled. Maybe they take more than they give, or aren\u2019t very considerate of people in their everyday life. When you're with them, they probably make you feel unimportant, or like they matter more than you.
That said, from where we're standing, it seems like an issue that you can solve with a little talking! Next time they're acting entitled, gently call them out. Say something like, \"That doesn't seem very fair to me. Can we think of another solution?\" Often, all it takes is a little push-back to make people reconsider their own behavior.Or, you might consider spending a little less time with them, if it doesn't seem like they want to change their behavior. Whatever you decide, remember that you deserve your own peace and happiness, and if someone else is working against that, it's okay to set boundaries and stick to them.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Self-Entitled"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Stop-Attracting-Selfish-People-Who-Use-You"}],"link_data":[{"title":"What Does It Mean to Be Self-Entitled? Signs, Causes & More","id":13930127,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Self-Entitled","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Self-Entitled-Step-22.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Self-Entitled-Step-22.jpg","alt":"What Does It Mean to Be Self-Entitled? Signs, Causes & More"},{"title":"How to Stop Attracting Selfish People Who Use You","id":5960583,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Stop-Attracting-Selfish-People-Who-Use-You","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Change-a-Negative-Attitude-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Change-a-Negative-Attitude-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Stop Attracting Selfish People Who Use You"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":3,"text":"Your friend doesn't sound very entitled.","meaning":"Based on your answers, your friend might act a little entitled now and then, but it seems like they're not much more entitled than the average person. They might occasionally be a bit inconsiderate of others, or maybe even a little selfish. We all are sometimes!
The good news is, all it takes is a little push-back to make most people reconsider their own behavior. Next time they're being inconsiderate, say something like, \"That doesn't seem very fair to me. Can we think of another solution?\" They'll probably come to their senses, and be more careful in the future!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Self-Entitled"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Stop-Attracting-Selfish-People-Who-Use-You"}],"link_data":[{"title":"What Does It Mean to Be Self-Entitled? Signs, Causes & More","id":13930127,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Self-Entitled","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Self-Entitled-Step-22.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Self-Entitled-Step-22.jpg","alt":"What Does It Mean to Be Self-Entitled? Signs, Causes & More"},{"title":"How to Stop Attracting Selfish People Who Use You","id":5960583,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Stop-Attracting-Selfish-People-Who-Use-You","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Change-a-Negative-Attitude-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Change-a-Negative-Attitude-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Stop Attracting Selfish People Who Use You"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>
Dealing with Entitled People
Some people just think they’re better or more important than the people around them. They can be exhausting to spend time with, but luckily, you don’t have to just roll over and put up with it. Here are ways to protect yourself from someone who’s a little too entitled:
Bring it up gently.
You don’t have to be silent! If someone around you is being entitled, say something. Focus your comment on the current issue, not on their personality. Say something like, “I think we should let someone else say something,” or, “Let’s try to think of a way to make things more equal.” That way, you check their behavior without attacking them personally.
Don’t take it personally.
Remember, when you’re dealing with a self-entitled person, it’s not about you. It’s about them, of course! Don’t let them make you feel like you’re not enough, or like you don’t matter. That’s not true at all. The problem is just that they think they matter more than other people.
Set boundaries.
If your friend tends to have consistent problems, let them know that you won’t tolerate that specific behavior. For example, if they always expect you to pay for food, say, “I’m happy to eat with you, but I don’t have money for both of us. Can you pay for yourself? Or maybe we can do something else.” That way, you set a standard, and they know what to expect.
Distance yourself from them. If your friend doesn’t change their behavior, even after you say something, it might be time to consider spending less time around them, especially if they’re making you unhappy. If they ask you why, consider telling them frankly. Say, “I have trouble spending time with you. I don’t really feel valued.” Remember, if nobody tells them, they’ll just keep acting that way.
Want to learn more?
For more information about social interactions and boundaries, check out these resources: