There’s a popular saying that no man is an island. That means you can’t be all by yourself. You definitely need people. Life with you all by yourself will be boring. Life is a journey, and as you go through it, you will come across different experiences and encounters. Friends are like a lifeline to us.
When you experience the highs and lows, you want to have people you can share them with. Yes, you have your family, but sometimes family is not enough. You also need people who are not related to you by blood. Those people are not obligated to be in your life, but they will choose to be there because they love and care about you.
Unfortunately, you will come across people who claim to love you, but deep down, they don’t. These people will say they are your friends, that they love you and want to be there for you, but in reality, they are only after their own gain. They are fake friends.
You probably have someone in your life you think might be a fake friend because they have been exhibiting signs or traits that make you doubt their loyalty to your friendship. Here are sure signs that they are indeed fake.
1. They are selfish
Nothing screams selfish more than a fake friend. That person is only friends with you because of what they can gain from you. If they had other places or other people they could get those things from, they wouldn’t be in your life. All they are thinking about is what they can get from this person.
They are self-centered and self-absorbed. They remember you only when they need something. They are always on the lookout for what they can get. If they don’t need anything from you, you won’t see them or hear from them. A true friend is supposed to be selfless. A friend who truly cares about you will be there even when they don’t need anything from you.
A fake friend is always calculating what they can get from you and what you can do for them. They don’t just do this with you. They do it with other people as well. A fake friend will disappear from your life without any communication or interaction. The moment they need something, they will remember you and call you to ask for it.
You have to be very careful around such people because the moment you’re no longer of any benefit to them, they will discard you and move on to the next person. They expect you to go the extra mile for them, but when you ask for anything in return, they will turn you down. They don’t want to do anything for you because they don’t truly care about you.
If someone is always asking for things from you and never making any effort to do anything for you, they are not your friend.
2. They are envious of your success
A true friend is your biggest cheerleader. When you win, they win too. They want to celebrate you and let the world know you deserve everything good coming your way. A fake friend reacts differently. When you win, they become envious of you. They would rather have your success than celebrate it.
There’s nothing wrong with admiring a friend or wishing their success could happen to you, too. But when your friend’s success makes you feel bad, that’s unhealthy.
A fake friend looks for reasons to belittle your success. When you share good news, they grow downcast and try to make you feel small. Every success matters, no matter how small. A real friend makes it feel big. A fake friend tries to make it seem insignificant.
If someone always has something negative to say when you achieve something good, they don’t wish you well. Friendship is not a competition.
3. They are critical of you
True friendship is about authenticity and honesty. You should feel free to be yourself around your friends. If you find yourself walking on eggshells because your friend is always judgmental and critical, that’s a problem.
A fake friend constantly points out your mistakes. Nothing you do is ever right in their eyes. A true friend corrects you with love. A fake friend enjoys criticizing you and making you feel bad. Most of the time, this behavior stems from insecurity. They project their own issues onto you and make everything about themselves.
If someone is always putting you down and making you feel uncomfortable, that’s a red flag.
4. They are unreliable
You are always there for them whenever they need you. But when you need them, they are never available. There is always an excuse. Yet when they need something from you, they show up and expect you to help.
A true friend is reliable. Even when they can’t help, they communicate honestly. A fake friend expects you to always be there for them but never shows up for you. Friendship is a two-way street. If someone is consistently absent when you need them, they are not your friend.
5. They are full of drama
Nothing screams drama more than a fake friend. They are full of negative energy and are always looking for a fight. To them, friendship is a competition. It’s about who is right and who is wrong.
A true friend makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. A fake friend drains you emotionally and psychologically. If spending time with someone leaves you feeling weighed down, you need to walk away. Friendship is not a war zone. If someone is always fighting with you, they are not your friend.
6. They are manipulative
A fake friend wants to manipulate you into agreeing with everything they say or do. You are allowed to have your own opinions and beliefs. True friends respect differences. A fake friend seeks control. If you disagree with them, it becomes a problem.
Over time, this manipulation can make you lose yourself. That is unhealthy and toxic. A true friend wants you to be confident in yourself. A fake friend feels threatened by that.
These signs of a fake friend can be subtle, hidden in their behavior. Pay attention to them and trust your gut that something is off. Friendship should be peaceful. If it threatens your peace, it’s a red flag.