10 Subtle Red Flags That Your Friendships Are Fake

Friends are supposed to have your back, right? But sometimes, it’s hard to tell if a friendship is genuine or just for show. We all want real connections, but fake friends can sneak into our lives without us noticing. In this article, I’ll look at 10 sneaky signs that your friendships might not be as honest as you think. an old one, these clues will help you figure out who’s really in your corner.

They only contact you when they need something

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These friends seem to disappear until they want a favor. Maybe they need help moving or a ride to the airport. Suddenly, they’re all friendly and chatty. But once they get what they need, poof! They’re gone again. Real friends stay in touch even when they don’t need anything from you.

They’re always competing with you

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Everything feels like a contest with these friends. If you share good news, they try to one-up you. Got a new job? They’ll brag about theirs. Did you buy a car? Theirs is better. True friends celebrate your wins without trying to outdo you. They’re happy for you, not jealous.

They gossip about you to others

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You find out they’ve been talking about you behind your back. Maybe they shared a secret you told them or made fun of something you did. Real friends keep your secrets and defend you when you’re not around. If they’re gossiping about you, they’re not true friends.

They’re never there during tough times

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When life gets hard, these friends are nowhere to be found. They don’t check in when you’re sick or offer support when you’re sad. But they show up for the fun stuff like parties. True friends stick by you in good times and bad. They offer a shoulder to cry on when you need it.

They make you feel bad about yourself

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After hanging out with these friends, you feel worse, not better. Maybe they make little digs about your clothes or job. Or they tease you in a way that’s not really funny. Good friends should lift you up, not tear you down. If you often feel crummy after seeing them, it’s a bad sign.

They’re always too busy for you

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Whenever you try to make plans, they’re always “too busy.” But then you see on social media that they’re hanging out with other people. Everyone gets busy sometimes, but true friends make time for each other. They might not value your friendship if they’re never available for you.

They only talk about themselves

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When you’re together, the conversation is all about them. They don’t ask about your life or listen when you talk. It’s like you’re just there to be their audience. Real friends care about what’s going on with you too. They listen and show interest in your life.

They pressure you to do things you’re not comfortable with

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These friends don’t respect your boundaries. They might push you to drink more, spend money you don’t have, or do things that make you uncomfortable. True friends accept your choices and don’t try to change you. They respect your limits and support your decisions.

They’re nice in person but ignore you online

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Face to face, they act like your best buddy. But online, it’s crickets. They never like your posts or respond to your messages. In today’s world, online interaction is also a part of friendship. If they totally ignore you on social media, it might mean they’re not really invested in the friendship.

They’re always “forgetting” important stuff about you

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They never remember your birthday, your allergies, or other important details about your life. It’s like they don’t pay attention to anything you say. Real friends make an effort to remember the things that matter to you. They might not care as much as they should if they’re always forgetting basic stuff.

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Joy Fadogba

Joy Fadogba is a passionate writer who has spent over a decade exploring and writing about lifestyle topics. With a fondness for quotes and the little details that make life extraordinary, she writes content that not only entertains but also enriches the lives of those who read her blogs. You can find her writing on Mastermind Quotes and on her personal blog. When she is not writing, she is reading a book, gardening, or travelling.