If they try to ingratiate themselves too aggressively, if they make way too good eye contact and smile so big and are effusively positive, and they make the hairs on the back of my neck crawl, I know it’s highly likely I’m interacting with a sociopath or psychopath.

Everyone that’s normal has a chance to be good or evil and it changes over time.

If the person hits the trigger points above though I know they aren’t going to be a stable actor to deal with because they will lack empathy, be utterly self serving, and never feel guilt for their actions.

I’ve encountered quite a few of these people in my years and they often are in positions of authority because they are really good at fooling and manipulating people.

I don’t know if this is good or bad but I definitely try to avoid or at least ring fence people like this when I encounter them.