As social beings, we have had abundant opportunities to interact with our fellow humans up close and personal. The opportunity presents itself almost every day at your work, business place, or institution. With numerous encounters and enough time, we come across people with a certain character trait. As an individual, who has several social circles to maintain and work with, one of the most undesirable traits that we come across is that of ingratitude. Ungrateful people are those who do not appreciate the efforts of others and fail to express gratitude for the things they receive. Such individuals can exhibit toxic behaviour and drain the positivity out of any situation, and at times it falls on us whether we want to preserve our sanity or deal with them. That being said, it usually takes quite a bit of time for some of us to identify and avoid ungrateful people and provide examples of their behaviour.

Observing how people respond to acts of kindness is the first step in spotting ungrateful people. It is a symptom of ingratitude if someone continuously dismisses your efforts or takes them for granted. If you have a friend who never appreciates your assistance or thanks you for going out of your way to aid them, they may be ungrateful.

Some people might only reach out when they are in need, not out of gratitude or concern for our welfare. They may also be prone to focusing on the downsides and complaining, even when their desires are met. For example, despite being given possibilities for advancement, a co-worker may periodically indicate discontent with their work. It is critical to be conscious of such behaviour and to consider compassion and reciprocation in our encounters.

Lack of empathy is another trait associated with ungratefulness. Some people prefer not to consider others' sentiments or recognise the effort they put into something. Such people may have an entitled mentality and believe that they are entitled to everything without putting in any effort. A family member, for example, expects you to do everything for them without lifting a finger and expresses no gratitude for your efforts.

The next stage is to steer clear of such behaviour after they have been identified. Such interactions can deplete your energy, leave you feeling underappreciated, and harm your mental health. Limiting your contact with them is the simplest way to stay away from them. Set limits and stay out of potentially conflicting situations if they are a family member or co-worker.

If avoiding such situations is not an option, then talking to them might be. You can convey your expectations and let them know how their actions make you feel. They might be able to adjust their behaviour as a result of learning the effects of their actions. However, keep in mind that not everyone is receptive to criticism, and it might only occasionally be effective.

For your health and sanity, you must recognise and stay away from such people. It is best to minimise your engagement with them or have a serious conversation with them if they consistently display indicators of ingratitude, such as a lack of appreciation, entitlement, or continual grumbling. We should attempt to surround ourselves with people who appreciate and demonstrate gratitude, since it is a virtue.