Emotional intelligence isn’t just about how you handle your feelings—it’s also about how you interact with others.
The way you carry yourself in public, the way you respond to people, and even your body language can reveal a lot about your emotional awareness.
And the truth is, some behaviors can make you come across as lacking emotional intelligence without you even realizing it.
These small habits might seem harmless, but they can leave a lasting impression on the people around you.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your public behavior is working for or against you, it’s time to take a closer look.
Here are six things you might be doing in public that signal low emotional intelligence.
When you talk more than you listen, you may not realize how it affects the people around you.
Conversations should be a two-way street, but if you’re always the one leading the discussion, others might feel unheard or unimportant.
You might think you’re just being engaging, but in reality, it can come across as dismissive—especially if you rarely ask questions or acknowledge what the other person is saying.
People with high emotional intelligence know that listening isn’t just about staying quiet while someone else speaks—it’s about truly absorbing what’s being said.
They pay attention to tone, body language, and emotions behind the words. They make others feel seen and respected, which naturally strengthens relationships.
If you catch yourself dominating conversations, try pausing and giving others space to share. Ask follow-up questions, show genuine interest, and resist the urge to steer everything back to yourself.
The more you listen, the more people will appreciate your presence—and the more you’ll actually learn from the people around you.
Social interactions are more than just words—body language, tone, and facial expressions all play a huge role.
But if you struggle to pick up on these cues, you might miss when someone is uncomfortable, bored, or trying to change the subject.
This can make conversations feel one-sided, and without realizing it, you might come across as insensitive or out of touch with the situation.
For example, if someone is giving short answers, looking away, or shifting uncomfortably, they might not be as engaged in the conversation as you think.
Ignoring these signs and continuing as if nothing is wrong can make people feel unheard or even annoyed.
High emotional intelligence means paying attention to both what’s being said and how it’s being said—because sometimes, the real message is in the nonverbal details. In fact, research shows that 90% of communication is nonverbal.
Improving this skill starts with simple awareness. Before reacting, take a second to observe.
Is the other person making eye contact? Do they seem relaxed or tense? Are they leaning in or pulling away?
By tuning into these subtle signals, you’ll navigate social situations with more ease and make people feel more comfortable around you.
Life is full of little inconveniences—slow service at a restaurant, a long line at the store, or someone accidentally bumping into you.
But if every small frustration sets you off, it can be a sign of low emotional intelligence.
Overreacting to minor issues makes you seem impatient, difficult to be around, and unable to regulate your emotions.
People with high emotional intelligence know how to put things in perspective. They don’t let small inconveniences ruin their mood or their day.
Instead of snapping at a cashier or sighing loudly in frustration, they take a breath and move on.
They understand that not everything is worth a reaction and that how they handle small annoyances says a lot about their emotional maturity.
If you find yourself easily irritated in public, try pausing before reacting. Ask yourself: “Is this really a big deal?”
More often than not, the answer is no. Learning to let go of the little things makes life smoother—not just for you, but for everyone around you.
This brings me to the next point…
You know those moments when you’re just overwhelmed by your emotions and it feels like they’re running the show?
Turns out, how we manage our emotions plays a big role in our emotional intelligence.
According to psychology, people with high emotional intelligence are better at managing their emotions, especially in stressful situations. They don’t let their feelings dictate their actions.
Instead, they acknowledge their emotions, understand why they’re feeling that way, and then decide how to react.
If you find yourself lashing out in anger, breaking down in tears, or letting your emotions control you in public, it might be a sign that you need to work on your emotional intelligence.
Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is a crucial component of emotional intelligence.
You see, it’s not enough to just recognize others’ emotions, as we discussed earlier.
We also need to respond to them in a caring and understanding way.
When someone shares their feelings, they’re not always looking for advice or a solution—they just want to feel heard.
But if you struggle with expressing empathy, you might brush off their emotions, change the subject, or respond in a way that feels dismissive.
Even if it’s unintentional, this can make you seem cold, uninterested, or lacking emotional depth.
A simple, “That sounds really frustrating,” or “I can see why you’d feel that way,” can make a huge difference. It reassures the other person that their feelings are valid and that they’re not alone.
If expressing empathy doesn’t come naturally, start by practicing active listening. Pay attention, ask thoughtful questions, and put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
When people feel understood, they’re more likely to trust and connect with you—and that’s what truly strengthens relationships.
Everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to personal space, and not recognizing those boundaries can make people feel uncomfortable.
Standing too close, touching someone without permission, or interrupting their personal time can signal a lack of emotional awareness.
It’s not always about physical space either—overstepping in conversations, asking intrusive questions, or pushing for more than someone is willing to give can also be signs of low emotional intelligence.
People with strong emotional awareness can sense when someone needs space, whether physically or emotionally.
They notice when someone pulls away, looks uneasy, or responds with short answers. Instead of forcing interaction, they respect those cues and adjust their behavior accordingly.
Understanding boundaries isn’t just about avoiding awkwardness—it’s about showing respect for others’ comfort and autonomy.
If you find that people often seem tense around you, step back—literally and figuratively. Pay attention to how they react to your presence and energy.
If they lean away, take a step back. If they seem closed off, give them room to open up on their own terms.
The more you respect personal space and boundaries, the more comfortable and respected people will feel around you.
If you see a bit of yourself in these points, don’t stress.
We all exhibit signs of low emotional intelligence at times. The important thing is to acknowledge it and work on improving.
Emotional intelligence isn’t something you’re either born with or without – it’s a skill that can be developed and honed over time.
Start by observing your behavior in public. Pay attention to how you interact with others, how you react to different situations, and how well you manage your own emotions.
Ask yourself: Am I really listening or just waiting for my turn to speak? Am I recognizing and responding to others’ emotions? Am I managing my own emotions effectively?
These self-reflections are the first step towards boosting your emotional intelligence.
Be patient with yourself. Change doesn’t happen overnight. But every small step you take towards improving your emotional intelligence will make a big difference in the long run.
The post 6 things you’re doing in public that show you have low emotional intelligence appeared first on Small Business Bonfire.
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