Member-only story
7 Signs Someone is Merely Tolerating You (Even If They Think Otherwise)
The hard truth about being “tolerated.”
Let’s get real for a second. No one wants to admit they’re being tolerated. It hurts.
The idea that someone in your life—maybe a friend, a partner, or a colleague — is just putting up with you rather than valuing you feels like a punch to the gut.
But the brutal truth is this: Some people don’t care as much as you think they do.
And the worst part is they won’t say it outright. Instead, they’ll smile, nod, and engage in polite small talk while secretly hoping the conversation ends.
It’s time to see the signs for what they are. If you recognize these seven behaviors in someone, it’s time to rethink the relationship.
1. They Give You Just Enough to Keep You Around (But Never More)
Some people are expert string-pullers.
They know exactly how much effort to put in to stop you from leaving, but never enough to make the relationship feel real.
They respond to your texts, but only after hours (or days). They say, “We should catch up!” but never set a date.
