In this article, we will look at opportunistic personality traits and behaviour patterns. This article also explores the 6 signs to look for to spot an opportunist.
5 Opportunistic Personality Traits
- False sense of entitlement
- Everything is a transaction
- They take advantage of others
- They thrive on instant gratification
- Fearful of commitment and taking responsibilities
False Sense Of Entitlement
They claim and demand importance at times They establish and affirm their presence by using everything in their environment. They feed off on the need for recognition. They demand respect, but are hesitant to give it.
How good they feel about themselves is normally based on their status and social standing. They need to be in charge of the situation, and their motivation is normally power, acknowledgement, and popularity. Disregarding another in order for them to succeed isn’t a big deal for them.
Everything Is A Transaction
This mindset can be seen in the consumer mind. For an opportunist all will be often converted to an exchange or a transaction, even partnerships. They evaluate so that they can profit so much even at a low cost. They would tout a profitable transaction as an accomplishment.
They Take Advantage of Others
Their main concern is, “What do I get from this?”
They understand exactly how and where to benefit from other people’s generosity, any kind of giving, in reality. They usually try to get the most out of it so they don’t miss out on anything.
They Thrive on Instant Gratification
They are normally concerned with fast solutions as well as any approaches which might help them overcome their fear instantly. Their apprehension of the unseen is the greatest.
They simplify certain situations and make them realistic and rational in order to escape the terror of the unknown. They resist the unexpected because they are afraid of losing power.
Fearful of Commitment And Taking Responsibilities
When the need to commit emerges, they are normally terrified. They seek out people to make informed choices for them so that they are not held accountable.
They spend a lot of time looking to dodge accepting responsibilities They do not really accept blame for the consequences. They frequently search for someone else to shoulder the burden.
6 Signs Of An Opportunist
Are you an opportunist? They’re hoping that you wouldn’t have enough awareness or boundaries to protect yourself (more on that in a bit). They believe that if they use charisma and praise, you can loosen your defenses and invite them into every aspect of your life. All they really care about is that they get what they want out of you.
Flattery
Though a flatterer’s praises may seem to be positive, they normally conceal a hidden agenda. Those who flatter someone aren’t really doing so for the sake of validation.
They sometimes really don’t acknowledge what they’re on about, and they may praise you incessantly. These people are just trying to boost your pride, weaken your good judgment, and take full advantage of you by convincing you that you’re pretty, smart, or admirable.
A guy you just met who is pouring with compliments on how fine you look is an example of flattery. And, if you do not really reciprocate his advances, he insults you.
There will be lots of praise and compliments flowing your way so that they can exploit you into doing just what they want.
No Sense of Boundaries
One thing that is extremely annoying regarding opportunists is that they are very pushy. They’ll figure out you know somebody they’d like to meet or if you have entry to an event they’d like to participate in, and they’ll just continue hinting about it or won’t stop asking you about it.
Opportunists are just so unconcerned with your boundaries that they want to leave you feeling ashamed and even guilty as if you’re a bad person for voicing them.
One way to explain the distinction between a friend and an opportunist would be that a friend seems more about respecting your limits or boundaries, whereas an opportunist hardly recognises that you may have any.
This kind of pushy person isn’t a hustler; they’re rude and disrespectful of your personal space.
Always Taking, Never Giving
Although we ought not to keep track of the things people do for us, we wouldn’t have to when it comes to our true buds. That’s because true relationships are based on a balance of giving and taking.
An opportunist, on the other hand, doesn’t believe in the concept of give and take. If you get the feeling that someone in your life is exhausting you or exploiting you and has been on the receiving end, and you always seem to be getting hold of the short end of the stick then this person is most likely an opportunist.
Getting Into Your Circle
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”
– Oscar Wilde
Returning to the flattery problem, it can be extremely annoying, and it is a crucial weapon in an opportunist’s arsenal. That’s why I don’t think it’s flattering when someone gets along with you and suddenly feels compelled to associate also with the people in your life.
That is the problem with opportunists. It’s not enough for them to exhaust your resources; they still want to hack into the ones linked to the people you encounter and the places you visit.
Forced Relationship
The term “agenda” is a perfect way to explain just what an opportunist is usually cooking up. Another red flag that you must definitely keep your eyes open for, if not completely keep your distance, is that getting near to you seems like a task instead of something that happens spontaneously.
Be wary of someone who insists after just one interaction that both of you will be best mates. Although the immediate emotion will seem pleasant, the closest friendships will most likely develop naturally and with no ulterior motive.
Something Feels Wrong
If there’s one thing an opportunist has going for them, it’s because they’re optimistic. But you don’t really want to be around that sort of energy when you’re trying to build a real, positive, and enduring relationship with somebody.
You don’t really want to discuss networks, finances, or what you might possess to help anyone advance to the next stage.
When it comes to this kind of mindset, an opportunist is the complete antithesis and the only reason they would like to get closer to you is because of what they believe you could do for them.
Take that a little even farther: they believe you ought to be in their lives to facilitate them in progressing towards where they would like to go.
Conclusion
In this article, we looked at opportunistic personality traits and behaviour patterns. This article also explored the 6 signs to look out for to spot an opportunist.
Frequently Asked Questions: Opportunistic Personality Traits
What is an opportunistic person?
The adjective “opportunistic” comes from the noun “opportunity.” This is where you take advantage of a situation. Someone who is considered opportunistic may be clever, knowledgeable, and successful in company.
Is being an opportunist a bad thing?
While opportunism isn’t always a negative thing, it may be anti-social. As a result, though being an opportunist can result in you “Winning,” you may also find yourself alone. In my view, the trick is to weigh the opportunity’s cost against its value. You must maintain your composure and consider not just the short, but also the mid to long term.
Are Narcissists opportunists?
In the most serious cases, a narcissist resembles a sociopath, feeling so entitled and deficient in any compassion or remorse that they become opportunists or even offenders.
How do you deal with an opportunist?
So, what’s the strategy for dealing with opportunists? Ask yourself what it is about conflict that worries you. Once you’ve replied that, consider whether the explanation is based on fact or is just a tale you’ve made up in your mind about why you should be afraid of it.
What is GREY rocking a narcissist?
Acting like a “grey rock,” or being incredibly dull and uncommunicative, is one technique for coping with a narcissist or sociopath. The aim of the Gray Rock approach is to make them lose all interest in you. You can not satisfy their desire for conflict or publicity.
How do you know if someone is an opportunist?
6 Signs Someone Is An Opportunist
They’ve been gushing of flattery since day one
They would never know a boundary if it struck them in the face
They’re always demanding something while giving nothing
They’re attempting to penetrate your circle both online and offline
Everything about the situation seems “off,”
They are “trying to force” connection
What is someone who takes advantage of others?
An exploiter is a person who takes advantage of others or stuff for their own benefit. Exploitation is both immoral and dishonest. To misuse anyone is to use them in an unethical manner, such as where an employer pays poor salaries but requires long shifts. An individual who treats others in this manner is known as an exploiter.
How do you know someone is taking advantage of you?
6 Signs Your Friend is Taking Advantage of You
They only just come to you if they are in need.
They don’t pay attention to you, but they do want you to pay attention to them.
They are only interested in hanging out when it is easy for them.
They’re incessantly seeking favours.
You’re normally the one that foots the bill.
They have little to no interest in your life.
References
6 Signs A New “Friend” Is Nothing But An Opportunist