Negging is a manipulative tactic that involves making negative comments to someone in order to lower their self-esteem and make them more likely to accept your advances. These insults can be subtle or overt, but they all have the same goal: to make the target feel insecure and unworthy.
There are a few reasons why negging hurts so bad. First, it can be a very personal attack. The negs are often directed at the target’s appearance, intelligence, or personality. This can be very hurtful, especially if the target is already feeling insecure about these things.
Second, negs can be very confusing. The target may not understand why someone is being mean to them, especially if they are interested in the person doing the negging. This can lead to feelings of confusion, self-doubt, and anxiety.
Third, negs can be very effective. When someone is feeling insecure, they are more likely to be receptive to negative feedback. This is because they are already looking for ways to validate their own negative thoughts about themselves.
If you are on the receiving end of negging, it is important to remember that it is not your fault. The person doing the negging is trying to manipulate you, and you should not let them. Here are a few things you can do to deal with negging:
Call it out
If you feel comfortable doing so, you can directly tell the person that they are being manipulative. This can be difficult, but it can also be very effective in shutting down the behavior.
Walk away
If you are not comfortable calling the person out, you can simply walk away from the situation. This shows that you will not tolerate being treated this way.
Build your self-esteem
The best way to deal with negging is to have a strong sense of self-esteem. When you know your worth, you are less likely to be affected by negative comments.