If you’re asking about the idea behind this headline, the two things worth watching are how a person treats people who can’t benefit them, and how they behave when things don’t go their way.
1. How they treat people who have nothing to offer them
Watch how they speak to service workers, elderly people, children, strangers, or anyone with less power. Genuine character tends to show when there is nothing to gain from being kind or respectful.
2. How they behave when they’re angry, disappointed, or challenged
Anyone can be pleasant when everything is going well. Pay attention when they are criticized, told “no,” lose an argument, or become frustrated. Do they remain respectful and take responsibility, or do they become cruel, threatening, manipulative, or blame everyone else?
The important caveat
Two observations can’t reveal someone’s entire character. People have bad days, and behavior can be affected by stress, illness, grief, or circumstances.
A better way to judge character is to look for patterns over time: honesty, accountability, empathy, consistency, and how someone treats others when they have nothing to gain.
