 On this channel, we've talked a lot about the subtle signs that can help us tell if someone likes us, or is romantically interested in us, but what about the opposite? Have you ever met someone who actually polite with you but you just couldn't shake the feeling that they were only pretending? Or thought you were friends with someone only to find out that your feelings were entirely one-sided? If you answered yes to either, then you've probably wondered what are some ways we can tell if someone dislikes us, even if we don't think so, or even if they tell us they don't. Well, lucky for us, psychology is here to help. And over the past few years, there's been plenty of studies on the subtle signs that someone secretly dislikes us that can help us better navigate our friendships and social lives. So, without further ado, here are 7 psychology-backed signs to keep an eye out for. If you're trying to figure out whether or not someone secretly dislikes you. 1. Make you wonder Intuitively, if you're starting to get the feeling that someone doesn't like you, even if on the surface it seems like they do, it might be worth looking into, because those feelings don't just come from out of nowhere. In their study, understanding the experience of pure rejection, researchers Sanchim and Zekriski noted that even when the rejection was never outrightly stated or expressed, participants could still feel it in their gut somehow, that the other person didn't like them. 2. Non-verbal language You know when someone is attracted or interested in you, you can tell by their non-verbal cues and body language, right? Well, we can do the same to pick up on their secret dislike of us. According to Joe Navarro, former FBI agent, body language expert and author of the dictionary of body language, closed-off body language like crossed arms, crossed legs, distance and shifting eye contact can all indicate a lack of respect and attention. More subtle signs also include pointing their feet or facing away from you when talking to you, discreetly checking the time, repeatedly looking over your shoulder and a distinct lack of physical contact. 3. Act differently Another telltale sign that someone doesn't like you is if they act differently around you than they do with other people, so take notice of how they interact with you compared to how they are with their close friends. Are they more polite, more guarded or more court with you? Do they not laugh as much or crack as many jokes? Do they seem to be walking on eggshells around you? Well, it's true that it's quite typical for us to act this way around people we're not close to or don't know very well. Researchers Lansu, Celestin and Bukowski have also found that these are all signs of something they call implicit peer evaluation, which means they act differently around you because they're still assessing whether or not they can trust you or want to be friends with you. And if they've been acting this way for a long while now, then it's probably because they are certain things about you they dislike. 4. Backhanded compliments Does your so-called friend often give you snide remarks and backhanded compliments or send you mixed signals with their passive aggressiveness? Only to insist that nothing is wrong, behaviors like this indicate that there might be some lingering resentment between you and your friend. And we all know that nothing ruins a friendship faster than holding onto past grudges and refusing to ever talk about it. According to a study by Dickies White and Van Tiggum, they might also be more irritable around you and want to spend less time with you for this very reason. 5. Self-absorbed conversations If there's someone in particular you want to know secretly dislikes you, think back to your last few conversations with them. What do you usually talk about? If the answer is usually them and what's going on in their lives, then it's probably safe to assume that this person dislikes you. Why? Well, according to communication expert Amin Moravian, who published a study in 2017 titled Communication Without Words, one cited and self-absorbed conversations signaled that this person doesn't actually like you as a person, but rather the attention you pay to them. 6. Social exclusion Have you ever found out that your friends got together and went somewhere without you or that they threw a party and forgot to invite you? No matter how good their excuses might seem, if it keeps happening again and again, then it's intentional social exclusion. And, according to a study by Kellen Rutland and John Paul, when someone socially excludes you, it means that they either dislike you, don't really consider you a friend, or are friends with someone who dislikes you. 7. Missed calls or left on red Last, but certainly not the least, if you want to know how someone really feels about you, check your phone history with them. How many missed calls did they never return? How many times did they leave you on red or delivered? According to researchers Yapp Francisco and Gopiz, who published a study in 2021 titled From Best Friends to Silent Ends, exploring the concepts of ghosting and non-romantic relationships. And this day and age of constant connectivity has really no excusing this kind of behaviour anymore. Sure, they might just need their space or might be feeling socially drained at times, but when it's just you that they seem to ghost, then it means they've either already lost interest or never had it in the first place. So do you relate to any of the things we've mentioned here? Did going through these signs bring to mind anyone in particular? They say that ignorance is bliss, and it might feel that way if having your eyes open to these signs hurt you. But trust us, it's always better to know who your true friends really are. And if there's someone in your life right now that secretly dislikes is only pretending to be your friend or harboring ill feelings towards you, then you're better off distancing yourself from these people and not forcing them to like you. Know your own worth, nurture the positive relationships in your life, and let go of the things you can't control, like how someone feels about you. If you think there are some signs we missed, let us know in the comments below. What do you think is the best way to tell if someone dislikes us?