20 People Share How They Easily Identify An Only Child

Imagine never having to shout “shotgun” while running to the car so you can claim your seat. Imagine never having to fight over the TV remote because your sibling wanted to watch something else. Being an only child must indeed have been a free world, with no hand-me-downs or food sharing to darken your day. Growing up with siblings versus being an only child likely has a significant impact on how we behave as adults too. Apparently, only approximately 20% of the world's population knows what it's like to grow up alone. But it's easy to spot that percentile if you know what to look for. Redditors got together to discuss the identifiable qualities of those who grew up without siblings and we’ve listed a few of the more popular “dead giveaways" in the gallery below. 

#1 I told my bf to close his eyes and open his mouth(I was surprising him with candy), and he just did it with no suspicion at all. People with siblings can’t trust like that.

Image source: cowsofoblivion, Everyday_matters

#2 Only child here. As a kid, I couldn’t relate to other children. Their behavior was completely foreign to me. Even now that I’m old, most people seem odd.

Image source: MeowMeowCollyer, note thanun

#3 When they get [mad] that things aren't done the way they think it should be done because they've never had to compromise with anyone before.

Image source: StuBidasol, Christian Erfurt

#4 They are very deliberate in their chosen relationships, e.g. friendships, partners, and are usually extremely independent, at least in my experience.

Image source: ffffffffck, Dương Hữu

#5 From my own experience, not being as prone to loneliness. The only time I really feel lonely is when I'm around people I'd rather not be with.

Image source: DeathSpiral321, Felipe Cespedes

#6 On a more positive note… from personal experience, being secure with doing things alone

Image source: gaiajess18, Kalen Emsley

#7 I’m an only child. One huge difference I see time and time again with those who have siblings—they had much more exposure to a longer timespan of media/music/games growing up. My idea of nostalgia consists of my specific timeline of media growing up, but those with siblings were able to watch tv shows their older brother watched, or knows about that game their little sister played.

Image source: DopeYeti, Clem Onojeghuo

#8 I hate being an only child as an adult. I don't really care that I was a main focus when I was a kid. If I don't have a partner I'm basically f****d emotionally and have no support when my parents inevitably become ill.

Image source: Toesinbath, Matthias Zomer

#9 I can't tell for adults, but when it's one of my kids' friends, the kid who ends up trying to hang out with the adults and gets overwhelmed by being in a group of kids has been an only child 100% of the time in my experience.

Image source: ifnotmewh0, Ben Wicks

#10 They can get s**t done without asking for help. Example- I’ve had people calling me to assist them in making the bed because they needed somebody to hold the other corner of the sheet?? Dude, this is not a 2 people job! I was doing something else and you require assistance with a piece of cotton? Same goes for putting together furniture. ‘Takes 2 people to assemble’ . Sure. It takes 2 people to assemble unless they are an only child, then it just takes the one.

Image source: nytropy, Christin Hume

#11 They enjoy quiet houses.

Image source: Alton573, Kara Eads

#12 They’re very quiet roommates in my experience. Sometimes don’t even know when they’re home. I hypothesize that they’re just used to quiet spaces and might feel uncomfortable when their surroundings get loud or chaotic. People with siblings are used to other people clanging around and making noise.

They need more alone time and aren’t scared of being home by themselves. When they’re planning to go somewhere or do something, they don’t tell anyone or announce it. They just go do it. As adults, they tend to live alone rather than with roommates, if circumstances allow it. If their parents are either super young or super old compared to their peers’ parents, it’s more likely they’re the only kid. Image source: IcyConsideration4714, Sigmun

#13 Pretty good at keeping ourselves entertained or doing things alone/being independent.

Image source: stefeezy, George Milton

#14 I am an only child… I’ve noticed I tend to make a lot of life choices on my own and don’t seek out a lot of advice or ask for help when I could definitely use it. In fact, I’ve been pretty deep in tough situations when I finally have the realization that there are people and resources I can utilize. It’s not so much I’m worried about asking for help, more like it doesn’t even register in my brain that there is help outside of myself.

Image source: Jaded_Syrup2454, Elisa Ventur

#15 My husband HATES sharing food! He is also very good at keeping himself entertained and busy- this was very evident during Covid when I was soooo bored and lost because all my previous hobbies and pastimes were outside the home and/or social activities, however, he just kept going and picked up so many new little hobbies that were independent

Image source: badjmsbe, Klara Kulikova

#16 They feel the weight of both their parents' hopes and dreams as well as their needs. If you're an only child who grew up in a loving home, chances are you also had a lot of responsibility to make something out of all the time and resources your parents put into you.

Image source: insightful_monkey, Yosi Prihantoro

#17 Thinking friendship is like having siblings. Its not. I would never smash a toy on my friend's head and expect them to speak to me after.

Image source: Useful_Jello2910

#18 Wishing they had siblings. Someone with siblings probably wishes they were an only child.

Image source: kindofaknight, Kelly Sikkema

#19 For me, it's when someone has no idea what non-food items taste like (dog treats, shaving cream, etc.)

Image source: PensionImpressive962, okeykat

#20 I heard once that only children are less likely to announce where they are going when they leave a room. Right away, I realized I'm like that, but my partner, who grew up with two sisters, tells me where he's about to go when he moves, even if it's to the bathroom.

Image source: NcularOrchid, Charlotte May