Some people just look good... the truth is hidden in the silence of their eyes.

Sometimes, while talking to someone, you realize that people read you not just by your words, but also by the energy hidden within your veins. A few weeks ago, I was talking to a friend, and the conversation suddenly got stuck at the very point I wanted to avoid: people's true nature.

I told him that there are some people who, getting involved with, is like shooting yourself in the foot. These are the people for whom charm is a weapon, and the victim card is a ready-made tool. No matter what you say to them, they fabricate their story in such a way that the world believes them, not you.

My friend said something strange. He said, "I can understand people in five minutes. The vibe doesn't hide who is real and who is just acting."

I wish everyone had this skill.

Because when someone breaks your trust... it hits not the mind, but the inner wiring of the heart. And once that wiring is shaken, a person hesitates to trust anyone.

These days, I don't look for friendship. If a person's energy settles within me, then things move forward. Quality matters more than quantity, and a little protection too.

There are some people from whom I maintain distance. No fight... no scene... just distance. A person's intuition and observation are two powerful tools, and they become sharper with time.

And these very tools taught me that these kinds of people are not trustworthy.

1. People who think your boundaries are suggestions

There's always someone in every family who feels that unsolicited advice is their constitutional right. I had such an uncle-figure. Every phone call would start like a mini therapy session, but he would be the therapist and I would be the patient.

I even politely said, "If I need it, I'll ask myself." But some people mistake distance for disrespect.

Such people don't help; they want control. And control never comes from pure intentions.

2. Those coworkers who pretend to be friendly in front and serve your story behind your back

I saw two people dating in an office. They broke up, and the entire office started discussing their personal life like a Netflix series. The most painful part? The same people who were the girl's "best friends" were the ones who were adding the most spice to her.

For me, this is a simple rule: whoever gossips to you about others, gossips to someone else about you too.

Best strategy? "Act uninterested." Gossipers need attention. Cut off the oxygen, and the fire extinguishes itself.

3. People who use religion as character proof

Church culture is very strong in the U.S., and some people turn their faith into a personality brand. I know a lady who was in the front row every Sunday, always smiling, always exuding a holy vibe. But at funerals, instead of offering grief support, she would do detective work on people's personal tragedies.

I realized that day that some people don't practice their faith, they just perform. And performance seeks validation, not faith.

4. Sweet-talkers whose words are soft but intentions are sharp

A friend of mine is in a moms' group. The group looked very friendly, photo-perfect, smiles-perfect... but for some reason, one mom and her kids started getting slowly and silently excluded from every event.

Later I realized that the smiles in the group were just superficial. Actions spoke louder.

Just the same lesson: words are like sugar, but actions reveal the real ingredient.

5. People who turn empathy into a selling tool

Once in San Francisco, a street bookseller stopped me at random. His face was soft, his voice gentle. “Hey, are you okay? You look like you could use someone to talk to.”

I was stuck in that vulnerable moment. But as soon as I didn't buy his book, his whole face changed, as if sympathy was rental and time was over.

Some people treat kindness like currency. Transaction over, expression over.

6. Little lies that give deep character exposure

There's a guy in my neighborhood who drives a trash truck. One day he casually mentioned that someone had said something about me, "I'm not nice."

I laughed because I knew who had said that line. The same neighbor who never even returns a smile.

Some lies aren't big. But the mindset behind them? That's a person's real report card.

We all want to trust and also want to protect. This balance isn't easy. People are complicated; intentions even more so.

Still... sitting with people, laughing, sharing conversations is a part of life. Just don't give the password of your heart to everyone.

Some people are trustworthy. Some people are just available. If you understand the difference, life becomes lighter.