3. The “last-minute” flake
We’re all busy with work, family, life—whatever the case may be. However, there is a significant difference between being busy and being disrespectful. Fake friends tend to make plans and then cancel them right before the meeting happens, coming up with a bunch of lame excuses.
Perhaps, you had been counting the days for their meet-up, and even rejected other invitations, only to receive the “Sorry, but I can’t make it.” This is an indirect way of telling you that your time is not as important as you think it is.
It is even worse when you catch them on social media an hour after the missed meet-up hanging out with another person. It means that you are not that important; you are simply an alternative. True friendship is based on commitment. A true friend values your time and gives honest answers. False friends make promises that they never intend to keep.
4. You’re consistently left off the guest list
There is a specific kind of sting that comes from scrolling through Instagram and seeing all your “friends” hanging out together at a spot you would have loved, and realizing nobody even bothered to shoot you a text.
Exclusion is a classic fake-friend move. They will include you when it suits their needs; for example, when they require a ride or need someone to complain about things to. However, as soon as some fun activities are involved, you are instantly excluded. In a healthy friendship, there should be some balance. When you are the one always calling or including them but not getting anything in return, there is an issue.
Real friends want you there. They don’t want to have a great time and realize later that you were missing; they’re the ones texting you “Where are you?” or making sure you’re in the loop from the start.
