Signs of a Covert Narcissist
5. Passive-Aggressive Behavior
Closet narcissists may engage in passive-aggressive behavior for two main reasons: They want to get back at people whom they feel “wronged” them, or they have a deep-rooted belief that they are entitled to whatever it is they want. Passive aggression is manipulation at its finest, and while most people have probably deployed this tactic at one point or another, narcissists use it on an almost daily basis.
Passive aggression can occur in a number of different ways. For instance, people may give a friend or loved one the silent treatment when things don’t go their way. They may sabotage another person’s friendship or work, or frame insults as jokes. A highly common tactic is to play the blame game in order to get others to feel bad about a given situation. They may also try to shame others into doing what they want or create confusion to get others to second-guess themselves.
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