Some individuals are very good at making enemies. Yet they often don’t understand why they experience hostility from certain people. There are many ways to make enemies needlessly. These are some of them.

1. Telling other people secrets

Many people think that gossiping about others is not a big deal. In many cases it is not indeed. I have never met a person that didn’t discuss people around him.

However there are certain situations when talking about others can cause problems. When someone shares confidential information with you, he shows a special trust. If that trust is broken, it brings a strong sense of disappointment that can last for a long time.

Another type of harmful gossip involves very sensitive subjects such as love life or health problems. Even if a person simply repeats what others told him about someone, it can still generate resentment from those offended by such gossip.

There two major No’s as far as gossip goes unless you want to make enemies: don’t reveal other people secrets and don’t talk about sensitive matters that concern others.

2. Being too honest

Honesty is very important. There is no question about it. However speaking your mind can be rude sometimes.

Why on earth would you say to someone that you don’t like his house or criticize his car? Even worse, some “honest types” don’t hesitate to tell people unpleasant things about their spouses, kids and relatives. On a top of that they are very surprised that people aren’t fond of them.

Speaking your mind in negative light about things that don’t concern you whatsoever is an excellent way to offend people and make some of them your enemies.

3. Breaking a promise

Unfortunately many among us think that a promise is something optional. They don’t realize that failure to deliver on their commitment will certainly irritate some people at the very least.

Suppose a person accepts a wedding dinner invitation and doesn’t show up without prior notice. Let’s say a friend tells you he would help you on a moving day and then forgets all about it. Imagine a well to do individual who promised his assistance to someone in need, but never was heard from again. Things like that happen all the time.

People who don’t keep their promises are not respected and sometimes despised. You must keep in mind two things about promises. First, you should think before giving your word. It’s better not to commit yourself at all than fail to deliver on your promise. Secondly if you can’t keep your promise, you have to explain your reasons and apologize.