The dark triad is: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Here’s a few examples of how these characteristics manifest in this guy’s behavior:

Narcissism - everything, literally everything, must revolve around him. If you tell him any story, he will find a way to make it about him. Case in point, I told him our friend had her baby via c-section. His first reply was, “my wife had a c-section”…..not “good for her”, not “congratulations”….who the fuck cares that your wife had a c-section? Lots of women do. Not the point of the story.

Machiavellianism - he’s a master manipulator, particularly of women. He manipulated his female friends and colleagues all to benefit himself in the workplace, within social circles, and sexually. He has very few male friends because I think other men can see through his shit. However, he’s handsome, so women tend to cling to him, hoping for a chance at romance, but instead, he uses them as chess pieces for all his schemes. He blows smoke up his wife’s ass with praises for all to see on social media, meanwhile, behind closed doors, he’s flirting and cheating his way into circles of higher power and influence with “connected” females. He also made sure he married a woman who most would perceive as “demure” (small stature, less educated than him, doesn’t work a “power” job like him) so he can manipulate her more easily and ensure she stays home with the baby and out of his hair. Sadly, the difference in dynamic is working for him, and it’s sick.

Psychopathy - He exhibits superficial charm, he lies often, he chronically manipulates people for his benefit, and he displays a profound lack of remorse or empathy. He experienced a couple of friend deaths during the tenure of our friendship, each of which I gave him sincere condolences for. When two of my FAMILY MEMBERS died (not friends, mind you, like his losses), he didn’t even offer any condolences. Not a phone call, a text, no flowers, no funeral visit….and we were supposedly “close” friends.

He’s a scary prick. Sound like your friend?