Men who never consider their partner’s feelings in their relationships usually display these 8 distinct behaviors

Navigating a relationship isn’t always easy. Everything is all rosy at the beginning, but you don’t really know who the person is yet. 

However, there are always little things that give away a person’s true character. Take men who don’t consider their partner’s feelings, for example.

Their behavior patterns are usually quite distinct and telling. And you can notice the signs in their interactions with just about anyone. So if you know what to look for, they can serve as red flags helping you understand what you’re dealing with.

In this article, we’ll explore 8 specific behaviors exhibited by men who seldom consider their partner’s emotions in their relationships. Hopefully, being aware of these signs will save you some big heartache.

1) Lack of active listening

Active listening is a key factor in successful relationships. It’s about more than just hearing the words spoken; it involves understanding the message behind those words.

Men who never consider their partner’s feelings usually exhibit a lack of active listening. This behavior isn’t just limited to their romantic interactions, but also surfaces when they interact with others.

They might interrupt people frequently, fail to make eye contact, or give generic responses that don’t really address what was said.

Recognizing this behavior can be a clear indicator that a man may not be considering the feelings of others in his interactions. It’s a red flag, a sign to tread carefully.

2) Absence of empathy

Empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others—is a crucial element in any relationship. It’s the thread that weaves through every meaningful interaction, tying people together on an emotional level.

Men who seldom consider their partner’s feelings generally lack empathy. Here’s an example from my personal life that illustrates how you might recognize this.

I once had a friend named Mark who turned out to be utterly self-absorbed. His girlfriend would pour out her feelings about a difficult day at work, and Mark would quickly switch the topic to his latest gym routine, completely ignoring her emotional state.

This wasn’t just limited to his romantic relationship. I remember once sharing my anxieties about a looming deadline, instead of offering comfort or support, Mark immediately launched into a story about how he had handled a similar situation.

Mark’s habitual lack of empathy was a clear sign of his disregard for other people’s feelings. It’s a behavior that cast a shadow on all his interactions, making them one-sided and emotionally draining for others.

3) Dominating conversations

Conversations are a two-way street, a delicate balance of listening and speaking. But in the case of men who rarely consider their partner’s feelings, they tend to dominate the conversation.

They often talk more about themselves and their experiences, leaving little room for others to share. 

In fact, a study showed that this is a sign of narcissism — dominating conversations and bringing the topic back to things like their past achievements to gain admiration from others or make themselves seem important. 

This is a classic move of someone who doesn’t consider other people’s feelings, and doesn’t want to share the spotlight without considering the effect it may have. 

4) Disregard for boundaries

Boundaries are an essential part of any relationship. They define where one person ends and another begins, creating a safe space for each individual to express their needs and feelings.

But men who consistently overlook their partner’s feelings are often indifferent to the boundaries set by others. This disregard can be subtle, such as dismissing someone’s preferences, or more blatant, like overstepping personal or physical boundaries.

For example, see if they respect the boundaries of their colleagues, like not interrupting them during meetings, or of their friends, like not calling after a certain hour. 

This is a great indication of well – or poorly – they will respect their partner’s boundaries in a relationship too. 

5) Non-reciprocation of emotional support

The beauty of relationships lies in the exchange of emotional support. It’s the comforting hand on a shoulder during tough times, the shared laughter in moments of joy, and the understanding smile in times of confusion.

However, men who rarely consider their partner’s feelings often fall short in reciprocating emotional support. They may eagerly accept support when they need it, but when it comes to returning the favor, they seem to be nowhere in sight.

When you find yourself constantly offering emotional support without receiving any in return, it can feel disheartening. It’s like shouting into a void, expecting an echo that never comes.

Understanding and recognizing this behavior is crucial. It helps you realize that you’re not alone in this experience and that it’s not a reflection of your worth but rather a sign of someone else’s inability to consider your feelings. It encourages you to seek out relationships where your emotional investment is valued and reciprocated.

6) Inability to apologize

Since making mistakes is inevitable, apologies are an essential part of mending fences and healing wounds in relationships. They signify acknowledgement of a mistake and the willingness to correct it.

However, men who rarely consider their partner’s feelings often struggle with this. They don’t realize the impact their mistake had on their partner, and they put their need to feel “right” above the potential impact it has on the relationship.

I’ve witnessed this trait firsthand. I have a family member, a man of many virtues, but who has always struggled with apologies. After a heated argument or a misunderstanding, he would often resort to buying gifts or changing the subject instead of simply saying “I’m sorry.”

This inability to apologize continued through all of our childhood squabbles, and into his romantic relationships too.

So when you’re getting to know someone, keep a close eye out for whether or not this person takes ownership for their messups, and you’ll better understand if he will consider his partner’s feelings in a relationship too. 

7) Frequent criticism

In any relationship, constructive criticism can be a tool for growth, enabling us to better ourselves. However, there’s a fine line between helpful feedback and harmful criticism.

Men who seldom consider their partner’s feelings often cross this line, resorting to frequent and harsh criticism. It’s not that they’re actively trying to be mean – it’s that they just don’t consider the impact of their words. To them it’s no big deal, or what they think is the truth. 

As a result, they may constantly point out faults, belittle achievements, or make unkind comments. Unfortunately, this frequent criticism can lead to a toxic environment, where others feel judged and undervalued.

Recognizing this behavior is crucial. It helps you identify if you’re in an unhealthy dynamic and take steps towards creating a more supportive and nurturing environment. Remember, everyone deserves respect and kindness in their interactions.

8) Disrespect towards emotions

At the core of every meaningful interaction is respect—especially respect for emotions. It’s the understanding that each person’s feelings are valid and important.

However, men who rarely consider their partner’s feelings often show blatant disrespect towards others’ emotions. They may dismiss feelings as unimportant, mock them, or even use them as ammunition in arguments.

The most important thing to understand about this behavior is that it reflects more on them than on you. Your emotions are valid and deserving of respect. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

Final thoughts

The complexities of human interaction and behavior are deeply rooted in our understanding and respect for others’ feelings.

A key factor in this understanding is empathy. The ability to step into someone else’s shoes, to view the world from their perspective, forms the foundation of any meaningful relationship.

Men who consistently overlook their partner’s feelings often display distinct behaviors—which we explored above. It can feel horrible to be on the receiving end, but the good news is, you don’t have to wait until years into the relationship to discover this.

If you keep an eye out, you can notice these behaviors even while getting to know the man, because they tend to pervade all of his interactions and dealings with just about anyone. 

Hopefully, by understanding what these behaviors mean, you’ll gain a better sense of what this man might be like in a relationship too – and be able to make a more informed choice about what kind of relationship you might want to have with him. 

Isabella Chase

Isabella Chase, a New York City native, writes about the complexities of modern life and relationships. Her articles draw from her experiences navigating the vibrant and diverse social landscape of the city. Isabella’s insights are about finding harmony in the chaos and building strong, authentic connections in a fast-paced world.

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