“Fake friends are like paper cuts, both are annoyingly painful and make you wish you were more careful.”
~ Unknown
1) They Only Come Around For The Good Times
Fake friends will be front and center during the good times, parties, and celebrations, but notice how they seem to disappear when you need a shoulder to lean on or a helping hand.
2) They Lack Empathy
Genuine friends rejoice in your joy and they share your pain. A fake friend might come across as indifferent to your struggles. On the other hand, when things are going well for you, a fake friend might not share in your happiness and they might even show signs of envy.
“Fake friends are like paper cuts, both are annoyingly painful and make you wish you were more careful.”
~ Unknown
3) They Constantly Offer To Do Things For You But They Never Follow Through
4) They Are Quick To Criticize You Behind Your Back
Wiz Khalifa said”Best friends has 11 letters but so does backstabber.” If someone makes you feel like they are your friend but then you hear that they have been talking negative about you behind your back; then, you are dealing with a fake nice person.
5) They Are Not Happy For Your Successes In Life
6)They Are Absent In Times Of Need
. Genuine friends show up, even when it’s inconvenient or there’s nothing in it for them. If someone is only around for the fun times but never around for the harder times, it is a telling sign of where their intentions truly lie.
“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”
~ Walter Winchell
7) They Don’t Keep Your Secrets
A fake friend often lacks respect for confidentiality. They might share your secrets with others or use your private information against you. This violation of trust is a clear sign of a fake friend.
8) They Make You Feel Like You Are Walking On Eggshells
“One fake friend can do more damage than five enemies.”
~Unknown
9) They Keep Asking For Things Without Ever Returning The Favor
10) You’ll Notice A Dramatic Shift In Their Behavior When They Don’t Get What They Want From You
“A friend who stands with you in pressure is more valuable than a hundred ones who stand with you in pleasure.”
~ Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
11) They Never Disagree With You
A fake friend often avoids disagreements not because they genuinely line up with your every thought, but because they want to avoid potential conflict or keep up appearances.
12) They Will Get Upset When You Don’t Agree Or Side With Them
“Fake friends are like shadows: always near you at your brightest moments, but nowhere to be seen at your darkest hour.”
~ Khalil Gibran
13) They Are All Ears And Very Attentive But Only When Others Are Watching
14) Their Acts of Kindness Come With Strings Attached
Genuine kindness is given freely, without expectation of something in return. But with a fake friend, there’s often a hidden cost to their generosity.
Perhaps they offered to help you move, but now they constantly remind you of that favor whenever they need something. Or maybe they bought you a gift and later held it over your head during an argument. Genuine people help because they want to, not because they’re setting up a future debt.
“Many people are fakes, but before you judge them, make sure you’re not one of them.”
~ Unknown
15) They Keep Track Of What They Do For You
16) They Give Over The Top Compliments
“Better an honest enemy than a false friend.”
~ German Proverb
Mark Webb is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice at Oakwood Counseling Center in Valdosta. He is the author of How To Be A Great Partner and How To Argueproof Your Relationship. Read more of his articles at www.TheRelationshipSpecialist.com