Everyone has feelings, even if they’re not that great at recognising or expressing them.
However, there are some people who are so disconnected from their own emotions that it turns them into cold, unfeeling human beings. As a result, they can’t empathise or sympathise with anyone else’s struggles, nor are they interested in or able to connect on a deep level. Here’s how you know you’re dealing with someone like this — if it wasn’t already obvious, that is.
1. They’re allergic to hugs.
Hugs, pats on the back, or even a friendly handshake seem to make them squirm. Physical affection just isn’t their thing, and they’ll dodge it like it’s a full-contact sport. Their body language screams, “Please don’t touch me,” even if they won’t say it outright. Personal space is their happy place.
2. They laugh at sentimental movies—for the wrong reasons.
Source: Unsplash While everyone else is crying at heartfelt moments, they’re rolling their eyes or chuckling at the drama. They see emotional scenes as over-the-top rather than touching. Don’t bother recommending tearjerkers—they’d probably fast-forward through the “sappy bits.”
3. They avoid comforting people at all costs.
Source: Unsplash If you’re upset, don’t expect them to offer a shoulder to cry on. They might awkwardly pat you on the back or mumble, “It’ll be fine,” before quickly changing the subject. Comforting people isn’t in their skill set, and they’d rather not try. It’s not personal—they’re just not built for it.
4. Sarcasm is their first language.
They rarely speak without a sarcastic edge, and sometimes it’s hard to tell if they’re being serious. Their humour can be sharp, but it often comes at the expense of emotional depth. It’s like they have a permanent “no mushy stuff” filter on their speech. Playful? Sure. Empathetic? Not so much.
5. They’re unimpressed by grand gestures.
Romantic surprises or heartfelt efforts often get met with a blank stare. It’s not that they don’t notice—it’s just that big displays of emotion don’t resonate with them. They’re the person who’d say, “Flowers? Nice. What’s the point?” instead of melting at the thoughtfulness.
6. They ghost without a second thought.
Instead of dealing with conflict or tough conversations, they might vanish entirely. Ghosting feels easier than engaging emotionally, and they don’t lose sleep over it. Their ability to walk away without looking back can feel unnerving, but to them, it’s just practical.
7. They find small talk painfully boring.
Talking about feelings or deep emotional topics? Forget it. But even light-hearted chitchat doesn’t excite them much. If the conversation isn’t practical or directly useful, they’ll likely tune out. “Why are we even talking about this?” is probably what’s running through their mind.
8. They stay calm—even when they shouldn’t.
While other people panic or react emotionally, they remain unnervingly calm in tense situations. This might be admirable in a crisis, but it can feel odd when their reaction doesn’t match the gravity of the moment. It’s like their emotional volume is permanently set to mute.
9. They avoid celebrations or gatherings.
Birthdays, weddings, or any event requiring heartfelt participation are their worst nightmare. They’ll find an excuse to skip or show up late enough to avoid the emotional speeches. Their version of “celebrating” might be sending a quick text or a curt, “Congrats!”
10. They shrug off compliments and criticism.
Feedback, whether good or bad, rolls off their back without leaving a mark. Compliments don’t inflate their ego, and criticism doesn’t sting. Their lack of reaction can leave you wondering if they even heard you, but they did—they just don’t care enough to show it.
11. They prefer logic over feelings.
If you’re trying to talk about emotions, they’ll likely steer the conversation toward facts and solutions. “Feelings are irrational” could practically be their motto. They view the world through a practical lens, and emotions don’t fit neatly into that equation. To them, logic always wins.
12. They avoid eye contact during emotional conversations.
When emotions run high, they’ll look everywhere except at the person talking. Maintaining eye contact feels too personal, so they’ll focus on the floor, their phone, or even the ceiling. It’s their way of escaping without physically leaving the room.
13. They dismiss emotional outbursts as “drama.”
To them, crying or venting is unnecessary and a bit over-the-top. They might say, “Calm down,” or “You’re being dramatic,” rather than actually addressing the issue. Their inability to validate emotions can make them seem colder than they really are.
14. They don’t do heartfelt apologies.
If they hurt your feelings, don’t expect a grand apology. A quick, “Yeah, sorry about that,” is probably all you’ll get. They’re not one for long explanations or emotional gestures. For them, acknowledging the mistake is enough—anything more feels unnecessary.
15. They care more about their independence than anything or anyone else.
They’d rather handle things on their own than rely on anyone else, and they expect you to do the same. Leaning on someone emotionally doesn’t come naturally to them, and they might view it as a sign of weakness. It’s not that they don’t care—it’s just that self-reliance is their default mode.
