Friends are people who are there for you no matter the circumstance. They are personal connections that blossom as life goes on. Fake friends take up unnecessary space and time in your life that could be focused elsewhere. Phony friends may worm themselves into your life for a while, but they never last among the real ones. Not all of them start out deceptive, carry the same character traits, or even recognize their ill behavior. Yet, it doesn’t change the fact that they’re not a good friend to you and probably never will be.
If you notice any of these signs in your “friends”, it might be time to remove and replace:
1. They’re Never There For You
This is the friend you only hear from when they need or want something from you. They never support your goals or ambitions and are fine in the relationship as long as it’s benefitting them. They don’t fight in your corner very often and when they do, it feels as if they’re barely trying.
2. They Put You Down
You’re their emotional scapegoat. Any time they have a problem with you or anyone/anything else you’re the person they lash out at. Most, if not all, their anger is taken out on you and they have no problem belittling you. They make you feel inferior when you’re around them and will call you out for any little thing you do.
3. They Get Defensive When You Call Them Out
Speaking of call outs, they hate when you return the favor. They refuse to hear anything about themselves that’s not positive and never try to fix any of the issues you bring up to them. You feel like you have to walk on eggshells around them just to keep the peace—and your sanity.
4. They Hold Grudges
Don’t make a mistake around them, because they’ll never let you forget it! They laugh at your pain and enjoy it when you suffer through things. They hold things you do over your head even if they happened unintentionally. They thrive on gossip and drama in your life and may even stir the pot to make things more interesting for them.
5. They Don’t Really Know You
True friends take the time to get to know each other. Small things like birthdays and favorite colors are important to them. Big things like job promotions and relationships don’t go unnoticed. The phony friend doesn’t know much about you at all. In fact, all they do is talk about themselves.
Disclaimer: This article is the opinion of the author.
