The 7 signs to watch out for to chase away fake friends
There’s nothing worse than someone who claims to be our friend and then sticks a knife in our back at the first opportunity that comes along 😤. This ends up hurting us so badly that we become suspicious and end up preferring to be alone than badly surrounded. Yet, there are signs that can warn us about toxic friendships, here are 7 of them 👀!
1. They’re always there in the good times, but not in the bad
This is the most blatant sign in my opinion, as it shows how fake someone is when they’re not there for us in the bad times. When it comes to doing an activity, having a party or going on a trip, they’re there, no problem. Yet, when we’re going through a tough time for a bunch of reasons, no one is there! 🙄
This happened to me when a close friend died. Through the different stages of grief, I saw my genuine friendships, and it helped me to weed out my fake friends.
👉 These people are only there out of self-interest, not to experience a complete relationship 😑.
2. They always criticize others
We often become aware of a person’s toxicity when they openly criticize others in front of us. We can make comments about those around us, but when it’s constant and always negative, this is a red flag! In addition, it makes us aware that we must be criticized in the same way when we’re not there… Indeed, if the fake friend criticizes in front of us, we can be sure that they do the same when our backs are turned 😫!
3. They’re never wrong
Recognizing your wrongs is paramount to a healthy relationship 😌. Except that fake friends don’t care about questioning themselves and saying when they’ve made a mistake. Their ego is so much bigger than ours that they’ll fight until we give in so as not to lose face. So we may like to be right, but we need to know how to stop in time so as not to hurt the other person 🤗. It’s crucial to take into account the other person’s feelings, but fake friends don’t do that…
You may be interested in this article >>> How to make new friends
4. They never do what they say they will
Stood up once, twice, three times in a row! When you have a fake friend, it’s always difficult to see or do things with the other person, no matter how small. Fake friends make promises and never keep them, the same goes for their commitments. How many times have I had “friends” stand me up at the last minute 🙄? In a healthy relationship, you shouldn’t be ignored all the time. The other person should keep their word and show that they can be trusted enough.
Here's an article you may be interested in to know who to trust >>> Should you stay friends with an ex?
5. They only talk about themselves and never listen
Me, me, me… Fake friends are never interested in us, but they love talking about themselves, no problem 😆! They bring everything back to themselves, even when we mention a problem we’ve encountered: “You know, I’m not feeling great right now either, in fact the other day I…” and just like that, it’s back to speech about their life 🤣. They’re their own priority, so they never listen actively or show empathy for others. Narcissus, when you hold us!
6. They’re jealous of our successes
Whether said openly or silently, jealousy is never a positive emotion. How do you spot a jealous friend? It comes through little phrases like “you’re always lucky”, “bad things never happen to you, they happen to me!”. Unfortunately, they’re not necessarily a nasty person, but their lack of confidence may have a strong impact on their relationships.
👉 Some people don’t like it when we grow and when we’re happy. Fake friends prefer us to remain on the same level as them and experience the same conditions.
7. They manipulate us
Fake friends are often extremely manipulative! They do everything to achieve their goals and whisper their ideas to others. Of course, everything is cleverly done so that it suits them and goes their way. It’s like brainwashing, you don’t know if an idea comes from you or if the other person whispered it to you. Fake friendships are often orchestrated by a toxic person who uses emotional blackmail or likes to play the victim.
👉 In short, it’s essential that you’re careful not to surround yourself with fake friends. Sometimes a relationship can break down or be unbalanced, but if that’s the case, you need to talk about it. Communication is the basis of a healthy relationship, it enables you to set things straight. However, if the other person doesn’t make an effort and if you’ve picked up on these signals, you know that the other person isn’t really there for you. Making the decision to discard fake friendships will only have positive results as you’ll only keep relationships based on kindness, listening and empathy 🥰.
💡FAQ 💡 What are the qualities of a bad friend?
Identifying the qualities of a bad friend can help you recognize unhealthy relationships and make better choices about who you allow into your life. Here are some common traits of a bad friend:
1. Self-Centeredness: A bad friend often prioritizes their own needs and desires over yours, showing little interest in your feelings or experiences.
2. Lack of Support: They are unreliable and fail to offer support during difficult times, leaving you feeling isolated and unimportant.
3. Dishonesty: A bad friend may frequently lie or withhold important information, undermining trust and creating a sense of insecurity in the relationship.
4. Manipulation: They may use guilt, pressure, or other manipulative tactics to get their way, disregarding your boundaries and well-being.
5. Negativity: Constant negativity, criticism, or pessimism can be draining and toxic, affecting your mental and emotional health.
6. Jealousy: A bad friend may feel envious of your successes and try to undermine your achievements or happiness.
7. Lack of Reciprocity: Healthy friendships involve give and take, but a bad friend may consistently take without giving anything in return, leaving you feeling used and unappreciated.
Recognizing these qualities can help you make informed decisions about your friendships and seek out relationships that are supportive, honest, and mutually beneficial.
Editor’s note: If history repeats itself, you need to ask yourself questions...There are several types of fake friends: the profiteer who only talks about himself, who gossips about us as soon as our backs are turned, the envious one who is jealous of everything all the time, the judge who thinks he directs our conscience, etc. It’s key that you spot them quickly in order to manage them as well as possible and to get them out of our lives if the need arises. Note that you don’t have to discard them from your life, identifying them allows you to manage them better and therefore communicate well. Saying things clearly, explaining what we feel, can be enough to make a relationship healthier. On the other hand, you may have noticed that some people are addicted to toxic relationships, in friendship as in love. If this pattern recurs, you need to ask yourself the right questions and go back to the root of it. Why do I get close to this type of person? What am I looking for in them? These patterns are obviously unconscious, which is why you need to do this work with a psychologist. Don’t wait to make an appointment.
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