Low Self-Esteem

How do we recognize poor self-esteem? What are the behavior patterns of a person with poor self-esteem? The following is a brief list, which is not all inclusive but is indicative.

• They are generally gossip mongers. 
• They have a critical nature. They criticize as if there is a contest going on and they have to win a prize. 
• They have high egos they are arrogant and believe they know it all. People with low self-esteem are generally difficult to work with and for. They tear down others to get a feeling of superiority. 
• They are closed minded and self-centered. 
• They constantly make excuses-- always justifying failures. 
• They never accept responsibility--always blaming others. 
• They have a fatalistic attitude no initiative and always waiting for things to happen.
•  They are jealous by nature. 
• They are unwilling to accept positive criticism. They become defensive. 
• They are bored and uncomfortable when alone. 
• Poor self-esteem leads to breakdown in decency. People with low self-esteem don't know where to draw the line--where decency stops and vulgarity starts. It is not unusual for people to tell jokes at social get-togethers but with every drink, the jokes get dirtier and dirtier. 
• They don't have genuine friends because they are not genuine themselves.
•   They make promises they know they are not going to keep. A person with low selfesteem would promise the moon to make a sale. Unkept promises lead to loss of credibility. A person with high self esteem would prefer loss of business than loss of credibility because they realize that one cannot put a price on one's credibility. 
• Their behavior is senseless and erratic. They swing from one end of the pendulum to another. They may be all sugar and honey today but the same people may be out to cut your throat tomorrow. They lack balance. 
• They alienate people and tend to be lonely. 
• They are touchy in nature--this is called the fragile ego. Anytime something is said, a person with a fragile ego takes it personally and gets hurt. It leads to dejection.