7 Ways to Handle a Friend Who Copies You ...

By Alison10 Comments

What are some ways to handle a friend who copies you? It's often said that you should be flattered if a friend dresses like you and copies your tastes. But in fact it can be extremely irritating if they're buying the same clothes as you or taking an interest in everything that you're into. Here are some ways to handle a friend who copies you …

1 Talk to Them

One of the ways to handle a friend who copies you is to have a talk with them about it. They may not realise that they're irritating you, and are just being unconsciously influenced by you. Tell them nicely that you've noticed they're doing/buying/wearing the same things as you, and that you'd rather they didn't copy you quite as much …

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It's natural to feel flattered when someone copies your style, but it can also be quite irritating. It's important to remember that your friend may not be deliberately trying to copy you, and may not even realise that they are doing it.

There are a few different ways to handle a friend who copies you, but the first and most important step is to talk to them about it. Explain to them that you've noticed they are doing the same things as you, and that you would prefer if they didn't copy you quite so much. Make sure to do it in a kind and understanding way, as your friend may not have realised that they were copying you.

In addition to talking to your friend, there are a few other things you can do to handle a friend who copies you. You can try to wear different clothes or style your hair differently to avoid being copied. If you're buying something, ask them if they want to buy something different instead. You can also try to steer conversations away from topics that you think your friend might be copying you on.

2 Understand Why

Try to understand your friend's motivation for copying you. Do they suffer from a lack of self-esteem? Perhaps they admire your style and confidence, and think that copying you will somehow make them like you are inside as well as outside. If you understand why they do it, you may be able to help them - and put an end to their copying.

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When it comes to a friend who copies you, it can be a difficult situation to manage. It can leave you feeling frustrated, annoyed, and even hurt. Copying can be a sign of admiration, but it can also be a sign of insecurity. It's important to understand the motivation behind the behavior in order to handle the situation properly.

One way to handle a friend who copies you is to try to understand why they are doing it. Do they lack confidence in their own abilities? Are they trying to be like you in order to fit in with your group of friends? Are they trying to get attention from you? Understanding the motivation behind the behavior can help you find a solution.

Another way to handle a friend who copies you is to set boundaries. Let them know that you don't appreciate the behavior and that it makes you uncomfortable. Explain that you don't want them to copy you, and that you would prefer it if they expressed themselves in their own unique way.

It's also important to remember that everyone is different. Encourage your friend to embrace their individuality and celebrate their own strengths and talents. Remind them that they don't need to copy you in order to be accepted by your group of friends.

3 Keep Quiet

If your friend copies what you do as soon as you announce your plans, then it may be smart to keep quiet about what you're going to do. If they don't know about it, they can't copy you! So wherever you can, try to make sure they don't know that you're going to book a trip to Hawaii or decorate your lounge pink ....

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Another way to handle a friend who copies you is to limit the amount of information you share with them. This can prevent them from copying your plans or ideas. Additionally, it may be helpful to set boundaries and communicate your discomfort with their behavior. It's also important to remember that imitation is often a form of flattery, but if it becomes excessive and bothersome, it's okay to distance yourself from the situation. Ultimately, it's important to prioritize your own happiness and not let someone else's actions affect your choices.

4 Encourage Them to Be Different

Perhaps your friend just needs a bit of help to show them how to develop their own style. Encourage them to wear outfits that look good on them or suggest a haircut that would look great on them (and is different from yours). This may work better for some people than asking them outright to stop copying you, so try this if you think they'd be offended by being told they're a copycat.

5 Show Them It's Absurd

Sometimes a short, sharp shock will bring it home to your friend what they're doing. If they'll copy absolutely anything you do, then do or wear something daft, and wait for them to copy you. This might make them realise that they've taken their habit rather too far.

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This is a great way to show your friend that their behavior is not acceptable. It's important to be creative when you do this, as it will be more effective in getting your point across. You can do something like wearing a ridiculous outfit, or acting in an absurd way. This will shock your friend and make them realize that they need to stop copying you. It's important to remember to be tactful in this situation, as you don't want to hurt your friend's feelings. Making them aware of their behavior in a gentle way is the best way to handle this situation.

6 Flattery

Although it can get on your nerves when a friend copies you, consider if it is indeed a form of flattery. Perhaps your friend really loves your style so much that she wants to look the same. If you think about it, you may conclude that it doesn't bother you quite as much as you thought it did.

7 Limit Contact

If nothing you try works, and you really can't stop your friend from copying you, your only option might be to limit contact with her. Perhaps you can't avoid her altogether if you hang around in the same places, but the less you see of her, the fewer opportunities she'll have to copy you.

We all want to have our own identity (well, most of us anyway), so a copycat friend can really get on your nerves. Try to nip it in the bud before she turns into Single White Female! What is the most annoying way in which anyone's ever copied you?

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