A true friend is one of the most valuable assets of a human being. According to research, having accurate and close friends benefits our mental health and reduces our stress and anxiety. Of course, some friends are fake. In this article, we tell the signs of fake friends and how to deal with them. Stay with us.
Signs of a fake friend
1. The relationship is one-way
Usually, a relationship with a fake friend is a one-way relationship. A fake friend is only there for you when it’s good for him, and he needs you, not when you need him. Your conversations are only about him, his life, and his circumstances, and he is not interested in hearing about you.
2. It is unreliable
A fake friend usually does not keep his promises, and you cannot count on him. This person may verbally express that he is by your side, but when he comes to act, he disappears.
3. Respect does not hold you back
A fake friend may behave the same way in front of you and slander you behind your back. He may even reveal your words and secrets to others and spread rumors about you. Your fake friend does not respect you and insults or humiliates you in front of others.
4. is jealous
Jealousy is another sign of fake friends. Real friends are happy to see you succeed, but counterfeit friends are not. These people feel threatened by your successes and achievements, and instead of rejoicing and celebrating your achievements, they may try to downplay them.
5. Your friendship is conditional
A fake friend is with you as long as he benefits from being with you. It doesn’t matter whether this benefit is a social status or a financial one; this person will gradually cut off his connection with you as soon as he reaches his final goal. A fake friend may do anything, from making you feel guilty to emotionally blackmailing you, to achieve their goal of being with you.
6. Does not respect boundaries
Each person has their privacy and limitations. A fake friend doesn’t recognize your limitations and often oversteps them or ignores them altogether. Your fake friend doesn’t care about respecting your privacy.
What factors make people fake friends?
1. self-centeredness
A self-centered person only pays attention to his own needs and desires. This person uses others as a ladder to reach their goals without paying the slightest attention to the needs and desires of the other party. The type of upbringing of these people has been such that they always value themselves more than anyone else.
2. Insecurity
According to researchers, people with low self-esteem or feelings of inadequacy use fake friendships to boost their self-worth. To feel better, these people are constantly looking for the attention and approval of others.
3. narcissism
Narcissists are more interested in creating fake friendships than others. These people want to brag and show off to others by establishing counterfeit relationships. For selfish people, the needs and desires of the other party are not essential, and they are more concerned with meeting their needs and achieving their own goals.
4. Psychosis
According to experts, people who have psychotic tendencies are more willing to establish fake relationships than others. The psychopathy of these people is characterized by behaviors such as a lack of empathy and disregard for the rights and feelings of others.
5. Childhood injuries
Unfortunate experiences and childhood traumas affect all areas of adult life, even friendships!
All kinds of fake friends
- Halfway buddy: People who are only by your side in good times and leave you alone when the going gets tough.
- Opportunistic: Opportunistic people are always looking for something that benefits them. They will stay by your side when it is in their interest to be friends with you and disappear when you need them.
- Flatterer: Flatterers constantly praise you with exaggerated descriptions, but their intentions are not genuine. In this way, they want to make you do what they want.
- Competitors: Your achievements are considered a threat to your competitors. With fake friendships, they want to downplay your accomplishments, undermine your efforts, and somehow make you feel superior.
- Gossip: These people live in a world of fiction. They may damage your reputation and relationships by lying and spreading rumors about you.
- Consumer: These people take advantage of your generosity and kindness and take advantage of your financial and non-financial resources without gratitude.
- Credit Seekers: Credit seekers need your attention, approval, and praise to boost their self-esteem.
What harm does fake friendship do to us?
The feelings you may experience as a result of having a fake friend include:
- Disappointment: You will be disappointed and upset when your fake friend doesn’t care about you.
- Betrayal: When you find out that your friend is talking behind your back, sharing your personal information with others, or spreading rumors about you, you will feel uncomfortable and a victim of betrayal.
- Anger and Resentment: You may get angry or upset with the comments and actions of your fake friends.
- Self-doubt: Fake friends may make you doubt yourself by discrediting you.
- Decreased self-esteem: Fake friendships make you feel worthless and negatively affect your self-esteem.
- Pessimism: The experience of fake friendship can make you pessimistic about other relationships. You may become overly cautious and not trust others easily for fear of being hurt again.
How to deal with a fake friend?
It is not easy to recognize a fake friend. However, it is helpful to pay attention to these points in connection with a fake friend:
- Trust your instincts: listen to your heart. Don’t ignore your intuition if you sense something is wrong with your friend.
- Make your friend aware of your needs: Be clear about your needs and wants from this relationship and allow him to see how much he values your wishes.
- Talk to your friend about things that are bothering you: If you have a problem with this person and something is bothering you, talk to them about it and gauge their reaction.
- Set boundaries: Remind your friends of your limitations and ask them to stick to them.
- Limit contact with him: If a fake friend has upset you by disrespecting or insulting you, limit your contact and cut it off little by little. Prioritize your happiness and well-being.
- Share your feelings with a true friend: Talk about your feelings with trusted friends or family members. Talking about mental concerns and feelings will lighten their burden a little.
- Practice self-care: Do things you enjoy. Focus on what makes you feel good about yourself and your life.
- Cultivate relationships with real friends: Spend time with friends who care about you.
How to find a true friend?
Valuable measures to find a true friend include:
- Be yourself: Authentic friendships are based on real connections. Be true to yourself and let others know you as you are.
Look for people with similar values: Connect with those who share your beliefs. - Give your relationship time: Let the friendship develop slowly and take its natural course. Behavioral patterns usually emerge over time.
- Make sure your relationship is two-way: True friendships are two-way relationships where both parties share equally.
- Prioritize quality over quantity: Build lasting and genuine friendships instead of trying to have too many friends.
- Watch out for red flags, such as excessive flattery, gossiping, and constant abuse of your kindness.
you say
What other signs do you think a fake friend has? Have you ever been caught in the trap of such friendships? Please share your valuable comments and experiences with us and our dear users.
