As you may already know, an entitled person thinks the world revolves around them. And this assumption affects all their friends and acquaintances.
If you know an entitled person, maybe you’ve often wondered how you could just shut them down. What I mean is, do you want them to stop being a thorn in your side? Because no matter how much money you spend or how many compliments you give them, it’s never enough.
So, what’s the solution?
How to shut down an entitled person?
Whether they are throwing tantrums or giving you the silent treatment, let’s face it, you’ve had enough. No amount of time or effort can fulfill this person.
An entitled person will never stop wanting and thinking the world owes them things until you shut them down. So, let’s look at a few ways to do that.
1. Hold those boundaries!
One of the most common issues with an entitled person is ignoring personal boundaries. In their minds, they think nothing is off-limits with you. You should be able to give them all your time whenever they need it.
Also, there are no boundaries between what they want and what you’re willing or can give them. At least that’s what they think. So, to shut them down, you need to reinforce your boundaries and practice a magic word called, “NO!”
2. Refuse confrontations
Entitled people think that you’re supposed to fight with them anytime they confront you. They go as far as picking fights for no reason.
To put an entitled person in their place when they do this, you can use the “gray rock method”. While this may infuriate them, it will send a strong message as well. In case you’re unfamiliar with the gray rock method, here’s a definition:
Gray rock method is purposely disengaging or refusing to participate in arguments with an abusive person. Acting indifferent or refusing to show emotions.
3. No more handouts
Let’s say your best friend is constantly losing apartments and needs a place to stay. Maybe she’s already a little entitled, and you know this. Maybe she’s always demanding to live with you. In this case, giving her a “handout” is not the right thing to do.
If you’ve been through this before with her, and she overstayed her welcome, it’s time to set limits and give her a push in the right direction. She’s constantly repeating a pattern.
You get to decide how you give her a hand-up in life instead of a handout. This may even shut down her entitled attitude a bit.
4. Promote accountability
Sometimes you must remind an entitled person of their actions, both positive and negative. No one is perfect, not even an entitled person. Promoting accountability between friends and loved ones will bring them back down to earth. It will humble them and definitely shut down entitlement.
One way to teach accountability is to keep a dialogue of neutral language with constructive criticism. Coax people you care about to share their mistakes and help them be okay with being imperfect.
5. Take back control
Entitled people see themselves as most important. If you give them too much control, you lose control of your own life. Before you know it, you’re living to satisfy the entitled person instead of taking care of yourself.
You can suffer greatly by handing control to someone else, especially someone who has a privileged mindset. Take back control in all areas of your life, and you will be able to shut down the toxicity.
6. Call them out
Before an entitled person can change, they must be able to see what they are doing. Some of them do and some are totally unaware. Calling them out doesn’t just help them, it also prevents you from experiencing stress from their tirades.
You see, many of them actually throw tantrums when they do not get what they want. And it’s best to call them out on their behavior privately at first. But if they cause problems in public, just remind them of how selfish they are and refuse to join in their tantrums.
7. Spend time away
If you are close to an entitled person and spend a lot of time with them, you may need a break. It could be that one of their problems is too much attention. And it’s also draining when you’re constantly being used.
It’s time to get away from them for a while and meditate on what’s happening in your life. When you disappear for a while, they may reconsider the egotistical view of themselves.
8. Talk about others
One of the best ways to shut down an entitled person is to talk about the accomplishments of others. This is also a blow to their ego, but it will reaffirm the fact that they are not perfect. It will show them that many people are just as important as they are.
Do this often until you notice a change in the level of entitlement with your loved one or friend.
Yes, entitlement is toxic
Having a feeling of entitlement is definitely toxic, and it’s something that must be addressed. The truth is, most of us have a certain level of this feeling, some more than others.
So, while we are busy shutting down other entitled people, we should always remember to look within. The idea is to always strive to be a better person today than you were yesterday.
Be blessed!
Featured image by jcomp on Freepik
Hi Sherrie, good article. Also a check-point to see if we recognise ourselves in this article.
any tips on how to deal with entitle people at work? who are team leads or managers?
Dealing with entitled people at work is rough. We need to make money, but sometimes our mental health is affected by leads and supervisors. But the truth is, we have to focus on doing the best we can. Those people are going to be entitled until they aren’t. That’s usually when they are replaced. All of us can be replaced, so keep that in mind. When someone is entitled, just pretend that there is a clock on their forehead, and know that their time is limited. Entitled people usually trip over their own feet and bring themselves down. You won’t have to do it.
As always great post Sherrie!
These 8 ways are great for dealing With people taking advantage of others because they were spoiled and because good people put up with them!
I live in USA. We are trained to be entitled because every company is competing for our business. I am not sure if other western countries are the same or how it is in other countries in the world, I can only guess!
I guess the problem starts when you go from expecting quality service to demanding it to complaining and brawling over it.
During COVID and unfortunately after COVID we all are getting a lesson in UNENTITLEMENT! And it is snowballing to all areas of our lives. In one state you are not entitled to PLASTIC bags when you shop, you will have to bring them from home or buy a reusable one from the store to save the environment. You might think you are entitled to PAPER bags that are biodegradable; but you are not! At some places even showing signs of entitlement will anger the merchants! I eventually learned to expect little and assume poor service, so I can be pleasantly surprised if I get good service! So this brings me to the point that sometimes entitled people are sad lonely people, trying to find something positive in their miserable lives. Do I promote acting entitled or abusive to others? NO! All I can say it is sad when you feel entitled and it is sad when you don’t!!
If your dentist doesn’t think you are entitled to an honest, non psychotic physician; RUN FORREST RUN!!
Like I said in the other reply above, entitled people eventually become what they look down on. This works both ways. Remember the saying, “This too shall pass” because it will.