Many people seem to be our well-wishers, but not so many actually are. And this also applies to people who pretend to be our “friends”. While we may think they are our friends and wish us well, as we would like them to wish us well, it turns out that they were never our friends in the long run. It only leads to heartbreak and lack of trust in the end. So, to help you better understand and judge people, here are five hidden signs that a friend isn’t really a friend, as psychologist Ziad Rumi shared on Instagram:
1. You feel exhausted either talking or spending time with them
Being in the company of fake friends will make you feel drained of their energy, and this is an important sign that should not be ignored. Your body and nervous system subconsciously give you signs when you are uncomfortable in someone’s presence. So listen to your gut and follow your instincts.
2. It feels like they don’t care about you
Have you often noticed that whenever you talk to your “friend” about something that really worries or concerns you, they don’t actively listen to you unless there’s something in it for them? Well, this is a classic sign of people who don’t care about you and therefore aren’t your true friends. A true friend cares about your hobbies and what makes you happy; they do not dismiss or disregard your views or what is important to you.
3. They are not genuinely happy for you
Instead of being genuinely happy for you and your success, fake friends have a hard time doing that. And they may even mask their displeasure with sarcastic jokes or comments that may seem innocent at first glance, but clearly indicate that they are jealous of your happiness.
4. They often criticize you, but it’s not to help you become a better person
Their criticism is often meant to put you down or limit you – that’s what fake friends do. But conversely, when true friends point out your mistakes, it’s to help you become a better person and help you grow. They do this with a genuine interest in helping you find solutions to your problems, not dragging you down – that’s what you can feel.
5. They often shift the focus to themselves
Even if it’s supposed to be about you, a fake friend grabs attention and starts talking about himself to be the center of attention. This shows their disguised jealousy and you should try to stay away from such people.
Remember, the company you keep speaks volumes. And so choose your friends wisely because they have a great influence on your life. It is better to be alone than to be in the company of unseemly people.
Your “best friend” can use you! Watch for these 5 signs
