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50 Self-Centered People That Deserved To Be Roasted For Their Tone-Deaf Posts
Interview With Expert
People like to stand out from the crowd. Be unique and act differently. And it’s well and fine when you’re a teenager still building your personality and finding what you like and don’t like. But this struggle to not be like others to get attention gets stale really quickly when you’re an adult. You realize that the ‘not like other people’ phase is just that – a phase, and it seems pretty cringy in real life.
The I’m The Main Character community gives a pretty healthy dose of shaming to those guilty of constantly wanting to be the center of attention. It’s a subreddit with over 1.3 million members who like to roast self-absorbed people. I mean, if they were foolish enough to post their main character syndrome behavior, they need to be able to take the ridicule, right?
Bored Panda also reached out to Alexander Danvers, Ph.D., a social psychologist and Director of Treatment Outcomes at Sierra Tucson, who researches emotions and social interactions.
We asked him how professionals would describe 'Main Character Syndrome,' why some people act this way, and whether we all have some of that main character energy in us. After all, we're all the main characters of our lives, aren't we?
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Tesla Owner Thought They Were The Main Character…they Were Wrong
The popularity of the I'm The Main Character subreddit is a testament to how people detest those who publicly act like they're at the center of the world. The community also has one condition for its posts: they have to feature "deliberate attention-seeking behavior, entitlement, or individuals thinking they are more privileged than anyone else."
The subreddit is also against discrimination, harassment, racism, misogyny, bigotry, or personal attacks. Even if the main characters featured on the subreddit are extremely rude, the rules ask members not to harass them on their social media. The same goes for discussions among members: "There is always a real human with emotions behind the screen," the group cites Reddiquette.
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#2
Cat Thinks Its The Main Character
#3
They Were Definitely Looking At Them
To learn more about 'Main Character Syndrome' from a psychology professional's perspective, we reached out to Dr. Alex Danvers. Because the term gets thrown around online quite frequently, we were curious to know whether psychologists and mental health experts characterize it as a medical diagnosis.
"'Main Character Syndrome' isn't a medical diagnosis," Danvers tells us. "It's a pop culture term, which means it has a looser definition, and people can use it in different ways. Typically, I see it used to mean that someone sees their life as a story—a TV drama or a romantic comedy—and puts themselves in the starring role."
#4
Invading Someone's Privacy And Insulting Them
Jean-Louis Bolomey 9 months ago
Oh dear. oh dear. But I am sure that it is something that a good therapist might be able to help you with :-)
#5
“Not My Order?” I Don’t Know What That Even Means…
#6
Thinks The World Stops For Him Because He Spent Too Much On His Truck
Little Wonder 9 months ago
The wonderful thing about my car is it's so scratched up and dinged already, and also small, I would 100% do this.
Dr. Danvers says that such a mindset can change the way a person thinks. Sometimes in big ways, sometimes in small ways. "At the problematic end, it can make the person too focused on themselves, always trying to shift conversations and social situations to center around the drama of their personal story."
"This can cause someone to overlook other people’s thoughts or feelings, treating them as supporting characters. That can feel, to friends, like a lack of empathy or rudeness."
"But it can also lead to behaviors that are pretty common and less problematic," Danvers continues. "Like trying to present yourself as positively as possible or focusing on documenting your life on social media over engaging in the moment."
#7
Who Does This?!
#8
Starring: Yearbook's Photo Editor
#9
Surely This Ain’t Real…
Danvers also notes that people engaging in narcissistic and entitled behavior might be masking other feelings, like feeling insecure or like they're not in control. "If someone is giving big main character energy, there's probably something deeper going on, and there are likely aspects of their life they aren't happy with," the social psychologist explains.
#10
Main Character At Starbucks
#11
What Kind Of Welcome Was He Expecting?
CanadianDimes 9 months ago
I mean what did you expect to happen? 10% Polish ancestry discount?
#12
The Pic Really Emphasizes Her Point
Skara Brae 9 months ago
The man in the rice field wonders why some creepy woman in her underwear is staring at him.
Peppy 9 months ago
Both of them will have aching backs at the end of the the day from being bent in an unusual position!
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Norbit 9 months ago
the differences are quite apparent: the man in the rice field has a job and thus enough money to dress himself properly... poor girl is probably freezing herself to death...
William Teach 9 months ago
I remember that one. She was utterly destroyed and roasted, especially since it was during covid time and she traveled to do this
Knitting Panda 9 months ago
Yeah, Jason, but we don't grow a whole lot of rice in Texas, do we.
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David 9 months ago
I've made similar posts. The difference is mine was not a selfie (of my a*s). The focus was on the person who was making me feel grateful for what I have. The amount of poverty you see in some countries is very sad. But don't use it to try to get followers.
2WheelTravlr 9 months ago
Unless you're documenting refugee camps or abject poverty and working towards changing things, I think it's still a bit self-centered to see people living in worse conditions than you're used to and assuming they're having a terrible life, then taking a picture and walking away.
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shankShaw deReemer 9 months ago
He's picking rice and she needs to pick that bathing suit out of the crack of her a s s!
Erin Eubanks 9 months ago
talk about being completely clueless. one can hope she was barefooted and contracted worms 😝
SkippityBoppityBoo 9 months ago (edited)
Well... At least she's being honest about exactly where her head/brain is located... Especially with the "Inspirational Quote"...
Jean-Louis Bolomey 9 months ago
She just didn't jump far enough from her branch in the tree of evolution....
DrBronxx 9 months ago
They covered *an* a*s. The main a*s is still visible.
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Kathy Potts 9 months ago
If you are in Asia your choice of clothing is offensive for being out in public.
third molar 9 months ago
2000 year old saying goes like: "those who farm the land are real lords of the world and everyone else need to bow and follow them". Cause if farmers stop then all ur billion $$s cannot feed you!
Donald Holder 9 months ago
If she's so concerned, why not put on some clothes and go help out for a day or so to spare him a little.
Mary Beadle 9 months ago
Yeah they are different, they are dressed. Put on some clothes and get a job
Pamela Christie 9 months ago
That's the Hon. Evelyn Drexel-Dalamangas, OBE, who owns all the land in this photo, plus 21,784 additional acres, uncountable castles and 45 luxury yachts. Your blatant disregard for local modesty standards embarrasses him, and he's thinking of closing his estate to tourists now, because of you. Sir Evelyn is looking for your pants.
Wendy Dyson 9 months ago
At least the people in the field haven’t got their food left-overs on show.
Breadcrumb. 9 months ago
We are surprised as well, didn't realize you could think of anyone else.
Margaret Weaver 9 months ago
If the revelation of her a*s meat is so shameful it merits cencoring.... why did she leave the house like that?
In recent years, there has been much discussion about how people do not know how to act in public spaces anymore. Concertgoers keep throwing things at celebrities during concerts, and kids are destroying testers and being mean to Sephora employees. Did we forget how to act when we're not at home?
"The pandemic made a lot of people feel more anxious and less connected," Alex Danvers says. Since unhappiness and anxiety in daily life can lead to narcissistic behavior, he agrees that the pandemic and social media play a role in how we conduct ourselves in public spaces.
#13
The Bride Who's Wedding Cake Was A Life Size Version Of Herself Is Pretty Mc Behaviour
David 9 months ago
If that's all cake - the thought of cutting it up is pretty cringe. At some point you have to cut off her head. Someone with a few drinks in them is going to make a lame joke about "I'll have a piece of that a...ss" and so on. I can't think of a graceful way to cut up a cake that looks like a human being.
#14
Couldn't Be Bothered
#15
It's Like You're Obsessed With Me Or Something
"Depending on the way you use social media, it can be very anxiety-provoking," Danvers observes. "People do a lot of self-comparison there and can find themselves wanting. Becoming the main character of the story of your life is a way of using fantasy to cope with a harsh world."
"Right now, the world feels very uncertain and potentially dangerous to a lot of people," Dr. Danvers invites us to sympathize with the main characters. "There are wars, political instability, concerns about disease, and concerns about harms from climate change. These are real things that produce real anxiety, and in daily life, it often feels like we as individuals can't take action to meaningfully improve things."
#16
Omg I Visibly Cringed
#17
How Rude To Advertise Ice Cream In A Day I Can’t Eat It!
#18
Lol
Javelina Poppers 9 months ago
Take the bus next time, nobody on a bus feels like laughing. (Party bus excluded)
Danvers says that people's self-absorbed behavior can become a way to deal with those problems. "That's when fantasy can come in as a protective measure—you might want to imagine that you're the hero in a scripted story because things always work out for them. What becomes important is the drama and learning the life lesson that the 'episode' was meant to teach."
That said, Dr. Danvers cautions against losing yourself in that kind of fantasy. "Of course, life doesn't come in episodes with conflicts that neatly resolve themselves, and this worldview can mess up people's real relationships with their real friends and family."
#19
Nipsey Hussle, Main Character
#20
I Thought Of You People!
#21
Tour Guide Has The Spotlight😄
Skara Brae 9 months ago
This is a hilarious photo. I'd print it and frame it. I doubt he realized the camera would focus on him and not the group. Also, if you have someone take your picture, check the results before you leave.
The term 'Main Character Syndrome' is weird in a way. Because, when you think about it, aren't we all the main characters of our story? "In a general sense, we are the main characters of our lives," Danvers somewhat agrees. "Like a novel written from the first-person perspective, we can only really know our own thoughts and experience our own lives."
#22
The Bus Is Full And Multiple People Asked Her To Make Room And She Refused Because She Doesn’t Feel Safe Sitting Next To Other People
#23
“Hate When People Don’t Recognize Me For How Much I Make”
A Trans Rabbit 9 months ago
people can't comprehend getting coffee? cause thats all i see u doing
#24
Bro Thinks He's The CEO Of Gaming
But those with 'Main Character Syndrome' wish to be main characters not just in their lives. "When people are talking about 'Main Character Syndrome,' they're typically talking about something more extreme," Danvers notes. "They think of someone who is acting like social situations should be all about them, and a world where they are important to everyone around them."
#25
Omg So Deep
#26
In A Post About Airport Health Hacks While Traveling With A Baby
CanadianDimes 9 months ago
Why would you want your bare skin touching the gross airport carpet? 🤮
#27
The Dress The Hair & Make Up Girl Wore To My Friends Beach Wedding
Skara Brae 9 months ago (edited)
Ooh, I'll dress up as the bouquet, and you can toss me after the ceremony.
"They think about someone who is more focused on crafting their own personal story than on paying attention to what's going on with their friends and communities," Dr. Danvers explains the difference. "This can lead to selfish or entitled behavior, and that is the type of thing that people can learn to—and be expected to—change."
#28
Posted Some Pics Of My Fiancé And Dogs, This Karen Who I Hadn’t Talked To In Over A Year Just Had To Make It About Her. And No I Did Not See Her Post
#29
Entitlement
A Trans Rabbit 9 months ago
you should have asked in the first-place idiot, maybe that guy was really nice and you just ruined it. :<
#30
Imagine Being So Entitled That You Make Everyone Drive 20mph Because That's What You Want
On the other hand, Dr. Danvers also says that thinking of yourself as a main character can certainly be empowering. "If you see yourself as important, you might be more willing to take good care of yourself and treat your values as important. That can be a positive change, especially for people who might otherwise feel depressed."
"The key is balancing a healthy confidence in yourself against the need to be aware of how much space you're taking up and making sure you leave room for others in your story."
#31
Signs Are Not For Me
#32
He Is Just Built Different
Skara Brae 9 months ago (edited)
"Or I escape just in time through a crease and swim up quickly." A perfect example of why schools need to teach critical thinking skills. Water pressure strong enough to crunch a submarine will certainly tenderize his majestic smugness. The Titan submarine was approximately 9000 ft/3000m down, approaching 300 times air pressure at sea level.
#33
She's Two Main Characters
#34
Do You Say Something If You’re Sitting There?
#35
Yes You Went To The Store In A Dress And Everyone Stopped Their Shopping To Stare At You. Right
Multa Nocte 9 months ago
They glare because you are blocking the aisle and probably preaching to people about your supposed superiority after you left those fake Christian dollars at Denny's as a tip. That smug smile doesn't help much either. P.S. That's one ugly dress.
#36
Jerk Tourists In Rosslyn Near Dc. Emergency Stopped Very Long Escalator With People On It During Rush Hour To Take Group Photo, Then Moved To Working Escalator. Needed Transit Worker To Explain Why That Was Wrong
#37
"You Know What To Do Reddit. 🤓"
#38
Mc Wants To Host A Real-Life "The Bachelorette"
Canandelabra 9 months ago
Tell me you are a narcissist without telling me you are a narcissist 🏆
#39
This Is Perpetually-Online Behavior If I've Ever Seen One
#40
Just The Worst
#41
Gym Rules Don’t Apply
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 9 months ago
Well she did wait until nobody else was there. Dumb but not worth angst dum
#42
It’s Almost As If Women Only Spaces Are Made For This Very Reason
#43
This Girl At The Airport Waits Until The Queue Moves All The Way Forward To Move. People Confronted Her And She Said “It’s The Same If I Move Now Or Later”
#44
Person At Airport Unplugs ATM To Charge Their Phone
#45
My Experience At The Taylor Swift Movie
Skara Brae 9 months ago
Next time take a squirt gun and pretend you didn't see anything when they turn around.
#46
It's Restricted For A Reason
#47
Gonna Be Funny Watching Them Get Fired
#48
Instagram User Trying To Beg For A Ferrari 😭
#49
She’s Literally The Main Character
Add New Image
What do you think ?
censorshipsucks 9 months ago
Main characters just need to be told they're not main characters in public so they get the humiliation they need. Preferably from an ooooold lady with a handbag.
robecca leyden 9 months ago
Lmao literally thought the poll question was another post because it sounded so cringe
Bear Hall 9 months ago
After reading these posts I got the epiphany there's only one me and lots of lots of others. Does it mean suddenly I got the Main Character Syndrome?
Jason 9 months ago
You should probably only start to worry if there are more than one of you.
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Michael Largey 9 months ago
I may be the main character in my own life, but the dressing room I've been assigned fails to reflect this.
Shina Kohana 9 months ago
We need more squirt guns. Like gentle ones, not super-soakers. Instagram lady being a brat? Squirt gun to the face to ruin hours of makeup work. Man exercising in your area? Squirt gun to the crotch to make it look like he peed. Nothing heavily violent, just shocking and humiliating enough to give the scene they so desperately want, just not the terms they want.
Margaret Weaver 9 months ago
Pity about the poll, I would have liked to click "society should be more punitive to narcissists"
Captain Kyra 9 months ago
I don't understand this. Many of these behaviors are rudeness and lack of consideration and respect for others. A main character is merely the focus of the story, the lead. They can be any kind of person. Why would anyone live their life as if they are secondary? Aren't we all the main character of our life? I can't live anyone's else's experiences except in books. And living with society as the sole focus of my life would be unhealthy. So I don't think I understand the expectation we have for others. People should be themselves but strive to be the kindest version of themselves. Kindness and respect benefit the giver and recipient.
Moosy Girl 9 months ago
There’s a difference between being the protagonist of your own life, or having main character syndrome. People with main character syndrome are 100% convinced they are the most important person alive at all times in any situation, as a protagonist you can be the main focus of your own life, but still recognize that at some points, other people might matter just as much or sometimes even a little more. An easy example: throwing a birthday party for your kid/friend/cat/dog and presenting a cake you know only you like (main character syndrome), vs presenting a cake your kid/friend/cat/dog likes.
Load More Replies...
Brenda S 9 months ago
I was not able to read all entries due to the rage and stress of these entitled wastes of flesh. Their parents should be embarrassed. I would have a hard time not stupid slapping them. I kept thinking, Life has a way of handing out karma. They will all would turtle up and scream for saving if, god forbid, their world literally explodes. This made me so sad for the future.
No Name 9 months ago
Have you noticed how the majority of these are women? The other major group is melanine folks or a combo of the 2.
Kay 1 month ago
Yes because we are too used to white dudes behaving like this
Load More Replies... censorshipsucks 9 months ago
Main characters just need to be told they're not main characters in public so they get the humiliation they need. Preferably from an ooooold lady with a handbag.
robecca leyden 9 months ago
Lmao literally thought the poll question was another post because it sounded so cringe
Bear Hall 9 months ago
After reading these posts I got the epiphany there's only one me and lots of lots of others. Does it mean suddenly I got the Main Character Syndrome?
Jason 9 months ago
You should probably only start to worry if there are more than one of you.
Load More Replies... Michael Largey 9 months ago
I may be the main character in my own life, but the dressing room I've been assigned fails to reflect this.
Shina Kohana 9 months ago
We need more squirt guns. Like gentle ones, not super-soakers. Instagram lady being a brat? Squirt gun to the face to ruin hours of makeup work. Man exercising in your area? Squirt gun to the crotch to make it look like he peed. Nothing heavily violent, just shocking and humiliating enough to give the scene they so desperately want, just not the terms they want.
Margaret Weaver 9 months ago
Pity about the poll, I would have liked to click "society should be more punitive to narcissists"
Captain Kyra 9 months ago
I don't understand this. Many of these behaviors are rudeness and lack of consideration and respect for others. A main character is merely the focus of the story, the lead. They can be any kind of person. Why would anyone live their life as if they are secondary? Aren't we all the main character of our life? I can't live anyone's else's experiences except in books. And living with society as the sole focus of my life would be unhealthy. So I don't think I understand the expectation we have for others. People should be themselves but strive to be the kindest version of themselves. Kindness and respect benefit the giver and recipient.
Moosy Girl 9 months ago
There’s a difference between being the protagonist of your own life, or having main character syndrome. People with main character syndrome are 100% convinced they are the most important person alive at all times in any situation, as a protagonist you can be the main focus of your own life, but still recognize that at some points, other people might matter just as much or sometimes even a little more. An easy example: throwing a birthday party for your kid/friend/cat/dog and presenting a cake you know only you like (main character syndrome), vs presenting a cake your kid/friend/cat/dog likes.
Load More Replies... Brenda S 9 months ago
I was not able to read all entries due to the rage and stress of these entitled wastes of flesh. Their parents should be embarrassed. I would have a hard time not stupid slapping them. I kept thinking, Life has a way of handing out karma. They will all would turtle up and scream for saving if, god forbid, their world literally explodes. This made me so sad for the future.
No Name 9 months ago
Have you noticed how the majority of these are women? The other major group is melanine folks or a combo of the 2.
Kay 1 month ago
Yes because we are too used to white dudes behaving like this
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