I was once told Iβm a very genuine person by a friend Iβve known for years, but in that weird strained way that says itβs an excuse or cover for what they actually wanted to say. I still donβt know what they meant.
this post was submitted on 10 Oct 2025
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I don't usually worry about that. Most people need a little armor between themselves and the world and they will open up slowly as they trust you. A persona to handle daily interactions with others is not necessarily a bad thing.
So I think my line is drawn more at manipulative. I would consider someone too "fake" if they did it on purpose to harm others or help themselves at the expense of others. Someone who would act nice to you while trying to harm you. Most people, in my experience, do not rise to this level of fake, so, like I said, I don't worry about it.
If they're covered in 100% real human skin.
Nearly there!
Willing to admit theyβve made a mistake. Able to take feedback gracefully.
They are real, in the sense they stand on their morals, ideals and principals. They can stand behind what they say and prove it. Even if they are punished for their convection they will not forsake it. They won't compromise and they won't falter
Not faking reactions or emotions. That doesn't necessarily mean showing every emotion you have in it's full force. Just to not pretend to have different emotions than you actually have.
And yes, that means people can be genuine assholes.
Honesty
This is the obvious one, but going a little further into it, what does honesty look like? Presenting their true self without shame? (Which could be abrasive to some) Or always telling the truth even if it makes others uncomfortable? Or just doing their best not to decieve others?
For me I think its the first one (presenting your true self) that makes someone genuine, moreso than never telling a lie.
Being truthful to one's own statements without being an ass.
Like, genuinely a person?
Or do you mean a person who thinks that being "authentic" is more important than being nice?
I suppose if you were to distill it down, my question could also be, what makes you trust someone?
Me. I make me trust someone.
But to get back to your question, by "genuine" do you mean "sincere"? Because that's not the same as "trustworthy".
I suppose so yes
Authenticity and kindess are seperate categories. Why the suggested conflict?
Because IME the only people who talk about "authenticity" or their "genuine self" use it as an excuse for rude or selfish behavior.