We all run into entitled, rude people from time to time.
Maybe it’s a coworker who expects special treatment, a family member who refuses to respect your time, or a friend who always takes but never gives. Either way, dealing with these people can be exhausting, especially when they push your boundaries, guilt-trip you, or act like their needs matter more than yours. Of course, you don’t have to tolerate it, nor should you. Here’s how to protect yourself from people who think the world revolves around them.
1. Put your foot down when it comes to your boundaries.
Entitled people love to test limits. If they see a crack in your boundaries, they’ll push further, assuming they can get away with more. That’s why it’s important to be clear about what you will and won’t accept, and follow through.
When someone keeps overstepping, don’t just hope they’ll take the hint. Tell them directly: “I can’t do that,” or “That doesn’t work for me.” You don’t need to justify or over-explain—just be firm. The more consistent you are, the less likely they’ll try to bulldoze you.
2. Stop justifying your decisions.
Entitled people thrive on making you feel like you owe them an explanation. They’ll demand to know why you’re saying no, why you’re not bending to their demands, or why you’re not doing things their way.
But here’s the truth: you don’t owe them a detailed reason. If you feel the need to explain yourself, keep it simple: “I’m not available,” or “That’s not something I can do.” The less you engage in justifying your choices, the less room they have to argue or guilt-trip you.
3. Recognise emotional manipulation.
Some people have a way of twisting situations so that they always come out looking like the victim. They’ll guilt-trip you for setting boundaries, act hurt when you don’t give them what they want, or make you feel like you’re being unreasonable for standing up for yourself.
The best way to handle this is to stay grounded. Ask yourself: “Are they genuinely hurt, or are they just trying to get their way?” Once you recognise manipulation, it’s easier to stand firm and not fall into their emotional traps.
4. Don’t engage in pointless arguments.
Entitled people love a good argument, especially when it keeps the focus on them. They’ll twist your words, bring up irrelevant points, and drag you into exhausting debates just to wear you down. When you realise a conversation is going nowhere, shut it down. A simple “I’m not going to argue about this” takes the power away from them and saves you from the mental drain.
5. Protect your energy like it’s your most valuable resource.
Some people drain your energy the moment they walk into the room. Whether they’re always complaining, making everything about themselves, or demanding constant attention, their presence feels exhausting.
Take note of how you feel after spending time with someone. If they consistently leave you feeling drained, limit your exposure to them. Your time and energy are valuable; you don’t have to give them away freely to people who don’t appreciate them.
6. Call out bad behaviour when necessary.
While some entitled people will back off when ignored, others need to be told directly when they’re crossing a line. Letting things slide too often only encourages them to keep pushing. You don’t need to be aggressive, but being direct is key. Saying, “I don’t appreciate being spoken to that way,” or “That’s not how this works,” lets them know their behaviour won’t fly with you.
7. Surround yourself with respectful people.
The more time you spend around people who respect your boundaries, the easier it is to spot when someone doesn’t. If you constantly deal with entitled people, their behaviour can start to feel normal, even when it’s definitely not. It can seriously skew your view of relationships if you’re not careful.
Make an effort to build relationships with people who value fairness, kindness, and mutual respect. The more you surround yourself with the right people, the less tolerance you’ll have for those who don’t treat you well.
8. Limit your availability.
Entitled people expect instant responses and immediate attention. If they call, they want you to pick up. If they need something, they expect you to drop everything. But just because they demand access to you doesn’t mean you have to give it. Start setting limits bit by bit. Don’t reply right away, let calls go to voicemail, and don’t feel pressured to respond immediately. Teaching people that you’re not always available forces them to respect your time.
9. Don’t take their behaviour personally.
Rude, entitled people act this way with everyone—it’s not about you. Their entitlement comes from their own insecurities, habits, or learned behaviours, not something you did. Reminding yourself that their actions say more about them than about you makes it easier to let things roll off your back instead of taking it to heart.
10. Avoid over-explaining when saying no.
Entitled people see long explanations as an opportunity to argue. The more details you give, the more they’ll try to poke holes in your reasoning or guilt you into changing your mind. Instead, keep it brief: “That doesn’t work for me.” “I’m not available.” No long-winded justification needed. If they don’t like it, that’s their problem to deal with, not yours.
11. Stay calm when they try to provoke you.
Some entitled people thrive on getting a reaction. If they can make you angry, flustered, or defensive, they feel like they’ve won. For whatever reason, some people seem to really enjoy pushing your buttons, so don’t give them the satisfaction. Instead of reacting emotionally, respond with calm detachment. Saying, “I hear you,” or “Let’s move on,” without feeding into their drama takes away their power.
12. Manage your expectations.
Hoping that an entitled person will suddenly change and start treating you with respect can lead to disappointment. If someone has a pattern of selfish or rude behaviour, expecting them to be different overnight isn’t realistic. Accepting that some people just won’t change helps you stop wasting energy on them and focus on setting boundaries instead.
13. Know when to walk away.
Sometimes, the best way to protect yourself is to remove yourself entirely. If someone consistently disrespects you, drains your energy, or makes you feel bad, you’re allowed to step back. Walking away isn’t about “winning” or proving a point; it’s about protecting your own mental and emotional health. Not everyone deserves access to you.
14. Don’t reward bad behaviour.
Entitled people act the way they do because, at some point, it worked for them. If throwing a fit, guilt-tripping, or demanding special treatment got them what they wanted, they’ll keep doing it. Breaking the cycle means not giving in. If they realise their tactics don’t work on you, they’ll eventually move on.
15. Focus on what you can control.
You can’t change entitled people, but you can control how much space they take up in your life. You decide how much access they have, how much energy you give them, and whether their actions affect your mood. When you stop letting their behaviour dictate your emotions, you take back your power. And once you realise that, dealing with them becomes a whole lot easier.
