Making friends is one thing, keeping friends is another. As an adult, it’s all about learning which mates are for reasons and who may only stick around for a few seasons.
A good place to start would be to identify the red flags that may be lurking in your friendships.
Thanks to one Reddit thread, we may just have some clues as to what to look out for when it comes to fake friends.
Many flooded the comments with the behaviours/ traits a seemingly “nice” person displays that actually show they have ill intentions.
Obviously, these are to be taken with a grain of salt and you should make your own judgement on what makes a good bestie.
But… If you're questioning who you want to stick by your side, here are ten signs that your mates may be fake.
- If they constantly talk about how "nice" they are, be wary. Truly nice people don't need to advertise their niceness.
- If they call you "babe" or "girlie," it's a red flag. If friendship icks are a thing, this would be top of the list!
- Talking negatively about others when you first meet them. Trust your intuition, if a person seems fishy from the beginning, it’s because she/he is. And they’ll probably do all these things to you if you continue letting them into your world.
- If they laugh excessively at your self-deprecating stories and retell them to others, it's not a sign of genuine friendship. True friends uplift and encourage one another.
- If they're constantly complaining and warning you about others, it's a sign of negativity and a lack of authenticity.
- If they overgive and get upset when you don’t return the favours, e.g. over time they boast about everything they’ve done for you and how little you’ve done for them.
- Constant flattery is a big red flag to me, especially from the opposite sex. It’s one thing to compliment someone on occasion. But when it’s constant it seems insincere and like there are ulterior motives.
- If you feel uncomfortable around a friend, it may indicate their negative energy.
- If they're only supportive when something bad happens to you and disappear when something good happens, it's a sign that they may not truly care about your well-being.
- If they act nice or innocent to be perceived that way, rather than out of genuine kindness, it's a sign that they may not be authentic.
Remember, trust your intuition and don't be afraid to distance yourself from those who don't have your best interests at heart.
