Three types of fake friends

There's been a lot of talk in the media/political sphere concerning fake news. But not as much attention is paid to fake people, especially those who try to pass off as real friends.

We count on friends to be there for us in good times and bad, through thick and thin. True friends celebrate our successes and support us in our darkest moments.

Though we can't rely on them to solve our problems, just knowing we have their ear or shoulder to cry on can be a big help. At the same time, we'd be willing to do almost anything for them, considering them more like family than some of our own blood relatives.

Sadly, some friends don't turn out to be as caring and loyal as we thought. We come to realize that they had ulterior motives for befriending us. Or, the friendship starts out innocently enough, but over time they begin taking the friendship for granted.

Three kinds of fake friends 

For starters, there are those who forget you exist once they enter into relationships. It's reasonable not to expect them to be around as often, but to fall off the face of the planet -- then resurface if or when the relationship goes awry -- shows that the person isn't a true friend. They're just a user.

Then there are the kind who only seem to be interested in seeing you when they want something, whether it be money, company, or a place to spend the night. Once you're no longer useful to them, they bolt to the next person they can bamboozle.

Perhaps the worst of the bunch are the so-called friends who talk smack behind your back. This brand of phoniness hurts the most because they're willfully deceiving you in hopes of damaging your reputation.

Then you could have friends who do a combination of the three.

Kiss fake friends goodbye

Look, life is too short to let other people treat us this way. Whether you've known the other person for a month or a decade, no one deserves to be ignored, taken for granted, or disrespected. That's not what friendship is about.

If a friendship is devoid of interest, loyalty, respect, and open communication, I don't have to tell you what will likely come of it. People grow tired of charades. Once they get wind of the other's real intentions, they will walk.

We have enough problems and drama to deal with as it is. The last thing we need is for people we genuinely care for -- and whom we presume feel the same way about us -- to use us or stab us in the back.

Dedicate your time and energy to friends who really deserve it. They may be few and far between, but so be it. It's quality -- not quantity -- that matters when it comes to friendship.