Overview :
varied people have varied ideas on what constitutes a fake buddy. A phony friend is typically someone who doesn’t care about being a good buddy to you. They might choose to hang out with you if they believe they have no other options. In other circumstances, they might even be taking advantage of you in some way. They might love you, but they might not know how to be a good friend. You typically feel more exhausted after spending time with phony pals than inspired and pleased.
How can you tell whether a friend is real or fake? Finding the warning indicators is not always simple. It may take months or even years before you understand a toxic person isn’t being sincere because of how subtly they behave. You’ll discover the telltale indicators of a false buddy in this guide.
Related : 10 signs of a fake friend
Signs of fake friends
1. How much do they talk about themselves?
I once had a “friend” who called me virtually every day to talk about his thoughts and issues. I made an effort to be a good friend by paying attention and offering advice.
Sometimes I also wanted to talk about something that was on my mind, but there was never a chance. If I did get a chance to speak with him briefly, he quickly shifted the subject and resumed talking about himself.
He showed little interest in my life or me. I came to the conclusion that he was a lousy friend because we never exchanged gifts.
Even though our connection was one-sided, I don’t believe he was a nasty person.
Fake friends are not interested in you. They’re only interested in themselves. They may use you as an audience or therapist.
2. How interested are they in you?
Do they question you frequently about your life, beliefs, and emotions? Do you have the chance to discuss your issues? Do they offer you assistance when times are difficult? These indicate a true friend.
If you tell them something significant about yourself or your life, do they pay attention? Do they recall crucial occasions and dates in your life?
Some people struggle to formulate good inquiries. This is not to say that they don’t care. You should nevertheless have the feeling that they are interested in learning more about you.
related : 11 signs of a fake friend and how to deal with them
3. What type of people do they hang out with?
I can still recall when one of my pals began seeing a new girl. She was fantastic, he informed me, but sometimes her actions bothered him.
Then he revealed that his girlfriend’s best buddy was a huge jerk who frequently hung out with shady characters.
That made me pause. Why would a nice person associate with criminals in such a way? We all make poor decisions, and it can take some time to learn a person’s true nature. But there are huge warning signs when someone hangs out with other bad individuals and their best friend is a giant douchebag.
So, if you don’t like your friend’s other friends, that’s a red flag.
Related : 10 tips on how to deal with fake friends in school
4. Do they apologize and make up for their mistakes?
I once found myself alone in the midst of the city after my best friend forgot about our date. When I called him, he was quite ashamed and sorry about it. He afterwards prepared me a great meal as restitution.
A phony friend wouldn’t have given a damn. They may have even been angered or annoyed by my response. True friends own their errors and offer their condolences.
5. Do they lie to you or others?
Occasional white lies are OK. For instance, the majority of us have expressed gratitude for meals. Even when the dish wasn’t particularly excellent, someone would eventually say, “It was delicious!” However, it doesn’t speak well of a person’s character if they lie frequently or in great detail.
Knowing when someone is lying to you is difficult. However, observing them in a group setting can provide you with some hints. They might lie to you if they act dishonestly or dishonestly toward others.
6. Are they critical of your achievements?
When you need it, good friends can offer constructive criticism, but they usually show you encouragement and make sure you know how amazing you are when you do something.
However, a phony buddy is more likely to make you feel as though you are in a struggle. When you mention a success, they can mention something they achieved that was noteworthy or try to minimize your success.
7. Do they respect your boundaries?
False buddies cross the line and pressure you to do and accept things you don’t want to.
Genuine friends honor your limits and you. And when you express your concerns to them about when they unintentionally go too far, they apologize.
I also wrote a piece about how to get people’s respect, which you might find interesting.
8. Do they stand up for you?
The majority of the people at a home party where I once attended knew each other, but the group’s “leader” never appeared to like me.
He frequently complimented me inadvertently and was never kind to me. He began making fun of me in front of some girls at this gathering. He made an effort to pass it off as humor.
Later, when one of my other friends informed me that the circumstance made him uncomfortable, I realized how cruel he was. He declared that his opinion was that the “leader”‘s actions weren’t appropriate. Then, my friend brought up the subject with our commander.
He defended me, and it meant a lot to me. No one dared to speak up right away, but I could tell by my friend’s response that he was a loyal friend. Furthermore, it helped me realize that our “leader” wasn’t a true buddy.
9. Do they help you out when you need it?
Fake buddies frequently seek you for assistance. They might eventually ask you for increasingly large favors. They frequently make irrational requests, yet you never hear back.
While no one can be counted on to help you with everything, true friends are always willing to lend a hand when you really need it.
Related : 10 tips on how to deal with fake friends in school
10. Do they act differently when around others?
They act kind to you in front of other people yet are rude to you when you are alone. They may be kind to you when you speak to them one-on-one yet rude to you when you interact with them in a group.
When other people are present, fake buddies behave differently. This conduct is not acceptable. True friends are not fickle; they are consistent.
Related : Toxic friendship red flags: 10 warning signs of a toxic friend
11. Can you be yourself around them?
Can you unwind and be yourself in their presence? Or do you have to pretend to be someone else in order to fit in? It could be time to cut ties with them if you find it difficult to be yourself with them.
Because they accept and like you for who you are, true friends let you be who you are. False buddies never do. It’s hardly a sincere friendship if you have to make up interests or act different to make it work.
12. Can you trust them to keep a secret?
False friends won’t keep secrets from you or respect your privacy because they don’t genuinely care about you.
Your secrets are safe with real pals. It might be time to reconsider your relationship if someone has abused your trust more than once (and hasn’t offered an apology!).
Source : Fake Friends – Signs, Meaning & How To Deal
