Friends are an important part of our lives. They are the people who we can speak to about anything, love and support us, and can rely on in whatever situation, which is why choosing your friends is an important and tricky business. A good friend is genuine and brings out the best in you. Unfortunately, sometimes we can identify the wrong person as a friend without even realizing it. Finding a true friend in the society that surrounds us can be hard. Luckily, there are some signs that can help eliminate the good from the bad.
1. Lack of communication
If you make time to listen to them, but they don't make time to listen to you, then they aren't your friend. This person only wants to talk about themselves and clearly has no interest in what you have to say. If they never text first, then you aren't that important to them in their mind either.
2. Balance
If you are the only putting in most of the effort into the "friendship", then they aren't worth your time. A real friend will want to contribute to your friendship, even if it is a simple text or call you just to see how you are doing.
3. They take advantage of you
This is one of the most common traps where people identify the wrong person as a friend. It is easy to identify these friend imposters if there is a pattern to when they show up. A real friend will not use you for homework or to get answers for a test. They will not ask you for money on a constant basis or stick onto you like glue to get invited to the next party.
4. They exclude you from conversations:
If you are sitting quiet listening to your "friend" speak to somebody else, completely ignoring your presence then you need to drop them from your life. This person doesn't think you are important enough to them to care about your feelings and try to make the situation enjoyable for everyone. Not worth it.
5. You change yourself for them
A real friend will accept and love you for you. If you feel like you need to change yourself, whether it is physical or mental, to make someone someone happy they are not your friend. You should feel confident around them and vice versa.
6. You don't trust them
If you don't feel comfortable telling your "friend" a certain secret or anything in that matter, then it's time to rethink the whole friendship. Nothing should stop you from filing unsafe revealing something in front of a person you consider a friend.
7. Peer pressure
Nobody should peer pressure you into doing something you are not comfortable doing, especially a friend. Not only are they irresponsible, they clearly don't care about you and the consequences you might face because of them. This person can even get you into some dangerous situations if this is happening to you.You should distance yourself from people like this.
8. You're their backup
If they only want to hang out with you because you are the only one available say goodbye. Friends don't keep you as backups, you are supposed to be their first priority. You're too good to be in anyone's shadow, find someone worthy to stand beside you in the front.
9. Secret friend
This is the type of person who is themselves and is kind to you when it's just the two of you in private, but completely disregards your existence in public. If they cared they wouldn't feel shameful for knowing you or being seen with you. You should be more important to them then what other people's judgement.
10. Your instincts say otherwise
If the voice in the back of your head is telling you something is wrong, you should listen to it. Evolution has given humans a strong sixth sense, don't waste it, it'll help you in the long run.
