8 Subtle Signs of a Fake Friend

Olu Ojo
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Friendships hold great significance in our lives, yet not all friendships are created equal. Identifying fake friends can prove challenging as they often present themselves as genuine and friendly. However, there are subtle signs that may indicate the presence of a counterfeit companion in your life.

Recognizing the indicators of a fake friend is crucial for nurturing healthy relationships, as they often exhibit traits like incessant attention-seeking and an unwillingness to admit their mistakes.

To help you stay vigilant, here are eight subtle signs that can help you identify a fake friend. Stay aware, and protect the authenticity of your connections.

They Don’t Support You

8 Subtle Signs of a Fake Friend
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Fake friends will never be there for you when you need them, and if they are, it will likely be out of convenience rather than genuine care or concern. They won’t listen to your problems, offer advice or help you come up with a solution. Instead, they’ll criticize the choices you make and make you feel worse about yourself.

They’re Overly Competitive With You

8 Subtle Signs of a Fake Friend
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They may be constantly trying to one-up you or make snide comments about how they are better than you somehow. The key thing to remember here is that true friends should be supportive and encouraging, not judgemental or critical. If your friend can’t celebrate your successes and achievements, it’s a good sign that they’re not really being genuine with you.

They Make You Feel Bad About Yourself

8 Subtle Signs of a Fake Friend
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This could be in the form of subtle insults, put-downs or even ignoring your accomplishments. Fake friends may also try to pressure you into making decisions or taking actions that don’t align with your values and goals. They may also avoid helping you out when you need it, and instead seem to focus on their own needs and desires.

They Turn Others Against You

8 Subtle Signs of a Fake Friend
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If you ever find that your friends seem to be suspicious or have a negative opinion of you, it could be because your so-called ‘friend’ has been spreading lies about you behind your back. A real friend will never do something like this and will always try to support and lift up their friends instead.

They Always Need Attention

8 Subtle Signs of a Fake Friend
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This could mean constantly calling or texting you, complaining about their problems, or monopolizing conversations. Fake friends can often be jealous and resentful if they don’t get the same amount of attention as others. They may also try to make themselves look important by talking about things that have nothing to do with you. It’s important to recognize these subtle signs and take the time to find out if a friend is truly genuine or not.

They Peer Pressure You

8 Subtle Signs of a Fake Friend
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Whether it’s going out late on a school night, eating unhealthy food, or even taking part in dangerous activities, they might try to push you into doing something you don’t want to do. Fake friends can be very persuasive and make it hard for you to stick to your boundaries. If this is happening, it’s time to reevaluate the friendship and distance yourself from them if necessary.

They’re Narcissistic

8 Subtle Signs of a Fake Friend
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Narcissistic people talk about themselves and their accomplishments excessively, often at the expense of others. They may also be dismissive or uninterested in hearing about other people’s experiences and stories.

Fake friends may also be overly competitive with those around them, trying to make themselves look better than everyone else. It is important to recognize when someone is being narcissistic so you can avoid getting too close to them, as this type of person will not be able to provide genuine support in times of need.

They’re Jealous of You

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While genuine friends will be happy for you and celebrate your accomplishments, fake friends may express envy or resentment towards you. They may make cutting remarks about you or belittle your achievements in order to feel better about themselves. Fake friends may also try to compete with you, making it a game rather than genuinely celebrating your success.

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Author

  • Olu Ojo

    My name is Olu. I am a passionate entrepreneur who loves to write about Pets, Home Improvement Hacks & Products, Fitness, and Travel Lifestyle. I have two bachelor's degrees in Veterinary Medicine and Applied Accounting with a CPA designation. I currently shuffle time between completing a Master of Business Administration Degree Education, Professional Practice, and Content writing. I have freelanced lifestyle content and posts for many top authority websites like MSN, and Wealth of Geeks.

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