Kiran Athar
Are you the type of person who makes others feel safe and accepted?
Do you allow people to be themselves, regardless of where they come from or what they look like?
If so, there’s a good chance you’re a non-judgemental person!
Being non-judgmental is a valuable trait that can make you a great friend, partner, and colleague. In a world so full of judgment and division, being an open-minded and respectful individual has never been more important!
So, in this article, we’ll be exploring 10 signs that you’re a non-judgmental person and how this trait can make you a joy to be around…
1) You avoid making assumptions about people
Let’s start with the most obvious (and important) sign that you’re a non-judgemental person:
You don’t make assumptions or judge people based on their:
- Gender
- Race
- Appearance
- Background
- Financial status
- Sexual orientation
I mean, I could go on but I think you get the message! If you’re a non-judgemental person, you look past all of these things.
You don’t let someone’s status, skin color, or religion stop you from getting to know them.
And that’s a core reason why people enjoy hanging out with you – they get to be their authentic selves and feel comfortable showing all facets of their identity around you!
2) You are open-minded and willing to consider different perspectives
And since you don’t limit yourself when it comes to making friends, you’re probably quite used to hearing different perspectives on life.
The truth is, we’re all living in our own little realities. Two people can be in the same situation and have completely different perspectives on it, based on their own experiences.
A non-judgemental person understands that.
That’s why they keep an open mind and remain respectful!
So, what about this makes people enjoy hanging out with you?
Well, for one, they’re able to express themselves and speak openly without fear of being ridiculed or dismissed.
And secondly, open-minded people are so much more fun to be around! The conversation flows, there’s no awkwardness, and everyone is free to be themselves!
3) You respect others’ opinions and beliefs
Leading on from that last point, you’re also a non-judgemental person if you’re able to respect other people’s opinions and beliefs.
Look, we live in quite a polarized world right now. Everyone seems to take sides, liberals vs conservatives, religious vs non-religious, pro-choice vs pro-life.
It can be really hard to form new connections with people when everyone views the other side as the enemy!
That’s why people like you are so easy to hang out with.
You might not agree with everyone’s beliefs or opinions, but it doesn’t stop you from respecting them nonetheless.
And one of the reasons you’re able to do this so well is because…
4) You look at the bigger picture
It can be said that non-judgemental people look at the bigger picture since they don’t get held up by judging people on the small stuff.
When you’re faced with someone who has opposing views to your own, rather than demonize them or see them as the enemy, you’re able to look at the wider issues surrounding that person.
Society, upbringing, education, all those things come into play.
And when you’re able to see that, suddenly, it doesn’t make sense to judge people so harshly.
Put simply:
You get to a place of understanding rather than judging.
And so is it a surprise that people enjoy hanging out with you? I’d say you make a great friend to have in life!
One reason for that is you believe in constructive advice rather than sh*tting on people and making them feel bad…
5) You avoid criticizing people
Here’s the thing, when you stop judging people and start understanding them, you’re less likely to criticize and more likely to help them.
You provide constructive feedback because you want to see people succeed.
And even more than that?
You do this because you show respect and kindness to everyone you cross!
You don’t want to make people feel bad or put down their hard efforts. That’s why you try to guide and inspire, rather than criticize and potentially crush dreams.
So, whether you’re someone’s boss, colleague, friend, or family member, they’re much more likely to want to hang out with you because you’re so supportive and uplifting!
And let’s face it, no one wants to be friends with someone who constantly makes them feel bad. Whether that’s to their face or behind their back…
6) You don’t partake in gossip
Next up on our list of signs you’re a non-judgmental person and people enjoy hanging out with you is this:
You don’t take part in gossiping, badmouthing, backstabbing, or anything of that nature!
People enjoy being around you because they can trust you, and that’s priceless these days!
Unfortunately, we live in a world where if people don’t like you, they can easily take to social media to slander your character.
They judge you just because you may think or act differently from them.
But a non-judgemental person like yourself keeps their personal opinions under wraps and would never publicly ruin someone’s reputation.
Even if it’s just a bit of “harmless” gossip at the office, you don’t partake because you have integrity; you believe in treating people fairly and with respect.
And if they’re not there to defend themselves, well, it’s clearly an unfair situation!
7) You are supportive and encouraging
We touched a little bit on this earlier on, but I want to take a closer look…
You see, if you’re a non-judgemental person, you are likely supportive and encouraging of those around you.
Why?
Well, you don’t focus on people’s limitations (or should I say, you don’t judge people on their weaknesses). You don’t write people off based on preconceived notions about what they can or can’t do.
Allow me to give an example:
I once had an ex who heavily judged me on my insecurities. He saw them as a sign of weakness and rather than help me work through them, he criticized me which led to a dark period in my life.
Then I met my current partner who is one of the least judgemental beings I’ve ever crossed paths with. The same insecurities were bought with me, but his approach was completely different.
Rather than judge and ridicule, he sought to understand the core of why I felt this way. Then, together, we began to slowly work through them.
His lack of judgment allowed me to heal and become a more confident person within myself!
So if this is you, never underestimate the power you have! People want to be around you because of this exact reason; you help them be better people.
8) You are empathetic
Part of the reason why you’re supportive and non-judgmental is that you have empathy.
Empathy is different from sympathy. It’s being able to put yourself into the shoes of someone else to try to understand what they’re going through.
If you’re able to do this, I’m not surprised people would enjoy hanging out with you!
You provide people with a safe space to be vulnerable. You don’t:
- Downplay their issues
- Brush aside their worries
- Force toxic positivity down their throats
And most importantly, you don’t judge them for the situations they’re facing!
You recognize that we can all find ourselves down in the dumps. That’s why you take the time to listen and support rather than sit on your high horse looking down on people!
9) You’re laid back
In case it wasn’t clear enough, another sign that you’re non-judgmental (and a joy to be around) is that you’re laid back.
Of course, this is going to make you awesome to hang out with!
You’re not hung up on what people say or do. You don’t have high expectations that need to be met all the time.
Put simply:
You’re easy company. And that is rare to find these days.
So many people are quick to get their knickers in a twist whenever they meet someone who doesn’t fit their ideal criteria.
But you sit back, observe, and go with the flow. No one has to conform to your idea of “normal” because you don’t have one – everyone is welcome!
10) You have a positive attitude and energy
Our final sign that you’re a non-judgmental person is that you tend to have a positive attitude and energy about yourself.
So, are you the glass-half-full type?
The truth is, when you stop judging people, it’s only natural you’d be more positive and happy in life.
You’re not held back by labeling people or discriminating against them.
You’re free to just have fun and enjoy life with good people, regardless of what they look like or how they live their lives!
If you’ve resonated with the points above, send me a friend request because you’re definitely the type of person I’d hang out with!
But on a serious note, being devoid of judgment isn’t easy. I know you’ve had to work hard to push back against societal norms of stereotyping people. Your effort doesn’t go unnoticed, and your friendship circle likely reflects that!
