If someone says these 14 phrases, they’re definitely being fake nice

You know that strange feeling when someone smiles too much or laughs too loud?

Does it seem like they’re being a little too nice?

Well, you’re probably right. They might be “fake nice”.

Some people act super nice on the outside, but inside they don’t really feel that way.

This can be tough to spot, but there are certain things they say that can give them away.

In this article, we’re going to look at 14 phrases that show someone is being “fake nice”.

Knowing these phrases can help you spot fake niceness and keep real friendships strong.

Let’s dive in!

1. “Bless your heart!”

This phrase is a classic one in the book of fake niceness.

Although it might sound sweet and caring on the surface, often it’s used as a polite way to express disbelief or even disapproval.

If you hear this phrase from someone who doesn’t typically use it, be aware: they may just be sugar-coating their real thoughts with a hefty dose of fake niceness!

2. “You’re so unique.”

Now, being unique is generally a good thing.

But when someone says “you’re so unique” with a certain tone or too frequently, it might not be a genuine compliment.

They might be subtly hinting that they find something about you strange or unusual, but don’t want to come right out and say it.

Remember, context and tone matter a lot when interpreting this phrase.

3. “That’s interesting.”

Here’s a phrase I’ve come across quite often. It seems harmless enough, right?

But sometimes, “that’s interesting” is just a polite way of saying, “I don’t really care, but I’m pretending to.”

For instance, there was a time when I was sharing my weekend plans with a colleague.

I was genuinely excited about the photography workshop I’d signed up for, but all she said was, “That’s interesting.”

There was no follow-up question or shared excitement – just a flat, emotionless response.

It struck me later that her comment was likely just her being fake nice.

She probably wasn’t interested in my plans at all but didn’t want to seem rude.

4. “I’ve been meaning to get in touch.”

This phrase is often a go-to for people who are being fake nice.

It implies that they’ve thought about reaching out and have missed your company, but for some reason, they never actually did.

People who genuinely care will make efforts to communicate regularly and won’t need to use such phrases.

Genuine relationships involve consistent communication, which goes beyond mere intentions.

So, if someone often says they’ve been “meaning to get in touch” but never do, that could be a sign of fake niceness.

5. “We should catch up soon!”

This is a common phrase you might hear from someone who’s being fake nice.

It sounds great, like they really want to spend time with you, but often, there’s no follow-through.

I believe that actions speak louder than words.

If someone truly wants to catch up, they’ll make specific plans or at least attempt to.

On the other hand, a person who is being fake nice will keep it vague and never set a date.

It can be hurtful to realize this, but it’s important to surround ourselves with people who genuinely care and want to invest time in us.

6. “I was just talking about you.”

This might sound flattering initially, like you’ve been on their mind.

But often, it’s used as a way to make you feel special without them really investing in the conversation.

Here’s an example from my own life.

I ran into an old acquaintance at a cafe, and the first thing she said was, “Oh wow, I was just talking about you!”

It seemed nice at first, but then I realized that she quickly changed the subject and never actually told me what she’d been saying about me.

It made me feel like she was just using the phrase to appear friendly without being genuinely interested in reconnecting.

7. “It’s been too long!”

Now, this phrase hits a little different.

It’s commonly used by people who haven’t been in touch for ages and then suddenly bump into you or decide to reconnect out of the blue.

The thing is, if someone truly values you and your relationship, it wouldn’t be “too long.”

They would make the effort to keep in touch regularly.

But those who are just being fake nice use this phrase to cover up their lack of genuine interest or their negligence. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s the raw truth.

8. “You haven’t changed a bit!”

On the surface, this might seem like a compliment, implying that you’re still as wonderful as you always were.

However, in certain contexts, it can be a subtle dig, suggesting that you haven’t grown or improved over time.

I remember when I ran into an old classmate at a reunion. I’d changed quite a bit since our school days – got a degree, started a successful business, and even adopted a healthier lifestyle.

But all she said was, “You haven’t changed a bit!” It felt like she was glossing over all of my accomplishments and growth.

That’s when I realized that this phrase could very well be an indicator of someone being fake nice.

9. “I wish we had more time to talk.”

This phrase often pops up when someone is trying to end a conversation without seeming rude.

They might pretend to be disappointed about the lack of time, but in reality, they’re just looking for a polite exit strategy.

The raw truth is that if they genuinely wanted to talk more, they would make the time or arrange another meet-up.

10. “You’re always so busy.”

This one is a stealthy way of blaming you for the lack of communication or meetings between the two of you.

The person might be implying that they’ve made efforts that you’ve ignored or that your busy lifestyle doesn’t leave room for them.

But let’s be honest here, in most cases, they haven’t tried any harder than you have. It’s just a cover-up for their lack of genuine interest.

Remember, recognizing these signs of fake niceness isn’t about becoming cynical or distrusting everyone around you.

It’s about understanding the difference between real and fake friendships, so you can invest your time and energy into the relationships that truly matter.

11. “You’re so brave for trying something like that”

On the surface, this phrase appears to commend someone for their courage.

However, it can also imply that the person is undertaking something that they’re ill-equipped for or that is generally considered a bad idea.

The emphasis on “brave” can subtly suggest recklessness or naivety.

12. “I could never have the patience to do what you do”

While this statement seems like a compliment about one’s patience or skill, it can also be interpreted as the speaker saying they wouldn’t want to “lower” themselves to do whatever the other person is doing.

Essentially, it can be a polite way to express disdain or lack of interest in someone else’s activities or career.

13. “That must be so rewarding for you”

This phrase ostensibly applauds the other person’s choices as fulfilling.

But depending on tone and context, it could suggest that while the work might be rewarding for them, it isn’t something the speaker would find worthwhile.

It can serve to distance the speaker from the activity being discussed and subtly belittle it.

14. “You’ve certainly made a unique choice”

At first glance, this statement seems to celebrate the individuality or creativity behind a decision.

However, the word “unique” can be a double-edged sword.

It may imply that the choice is so unconventional that it’s odd, impractical, or even unwise.

The phrase can serve as a polite facade for the speaker’s underlying skepticism or disapproval of the decision made.