Though habitual, it may be worth noting that what is being described here as the ‘subtle signs’ of ‘narcissism’ are actually signs of egoism and egotistical behavior. The distinction is important for two reasons:

First, everyone you know has an ego and the slide into egoism and egotism is not for a privileged few, but an inertia that can happen to anyone, including the author. In fact, for everyone who calls (incorrectly) their boyfriend or girlfriend a ‘narcissist’, you will probably find the compliments being returned by that same girlfriend/boyfriend. In short, when it comes to egoism, all the ‘subtle signs’ are reciprocal.

Second, narcissism, if it were ever to be explained adequately, is a cure for egoism and its paranoiac tendencies.

Just a couple of grains of salt,

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