In modern-day culture, it can often be hard to tell if someone cares about you or if they are just faking it. We’ve put together 18 telltale signs that someone is just pretending to care about you.
Inconsistent Behavior
One day, the person may be your biggest fan, and the next day, they couldn’t care less. Not only can this type of behavior be hurtful and confusing, but it can also be a huge red flag that this person is only faking caring about you.
Lack of Genuine Interest
They will rarely ask any meaningful questions about your life, thoughts, or feelings. They often keep their conversations at superficial levels or instead choose to gossip about others. Choosing Therapy highlights that they focus more on appearances rather than the actual relationship itself.
Minimal Effort in Communication
These types of people only tend to reach out to you when it is convenient for them and tend not to initiate conversation for any other reason. Talking to this person will feel one-sided and, more often than not, leave you feeling used.
Superficial Conversations
Conversations with people who don’t actually care about you are often shallow or artificial, avoiding deeper and more meaningful topics. People who aren’t actually your friends will try to avoid topics that can lead to any emotional investment or a true response.
Lack of Support During Tough Times
When you really need help and support, these people are not there for you. A true friend will always try to be there for you in times of need. If not physically, they will be there for you emotionally, always offering you their shoulder to cry on if needed.
Conditional Kindness
Instead of their kindness coming from a place of goodwill and care, these people give their care with strings attached, later using it against you when they need something. They are also likely to be kind and caring towards you when they need something back in return, as highlighted by Health Shots.
Self-Centeredness
People who don’t actually care about you will make their problems and life the center of the conversation, with very little regard for yours. A real friend will show an interest in your life just as much as you will show an interest in theirs.
Ignoring Boundaries
Disregarding boundaries and comfort zones is another trait of a false friend. By showing very little respect for your personal space and feelings, they show very little respect for you, by extension. Respecting the limits and boundaries of a person, you are showing a key aspect of genuine care.
Indifference to Your Achievements
A true friend will always be excited and want to celebrate your achievements with you, whereas a false friend will be the first to flake out or not go at all. They will show little to no joy for your achievements and milestones.
Avoiding Accountability
They never apologize or admit to their mistakes, always choosing instead to deflect the blame onto someone or something else. A true friend takes responsibility when they mess up and act upon it to make amends, as they value the relationship that you share.
Lack of Empathy
When you are going through a tough time and struggling, they tend to lack understanding or compassion, playing down your feelings and making you feel silly for having them. Someone who genuinely cares about you will validate your feelings and be there for you.
Talking Behind Your Back
Have you ever been around someone who doesn’t stop gossiping about people you know, and think, what does this person say behind my back? The answer is, often, they do the same thing. Fake friends will always be the first ones to gossip about you and undermine you to others, according to Women’s Health.
Surface-Level Apologies
If in the case that they do apologize, a person who doesn’t really care about you will only do it superficially. Their apologies aren’t filled with genuine care but more of a means to an end, as they don’t care about the hurt and upset caused.
Manipulative Behavior
They tend to use guilt trips or emotional manipulation to get what they want from you. Rather than being upfront and honest, they never show their true intentions. They will tend to use and manipulate you to get what they want and need.
No Interest in Your Well-being
As these people tend to be self-centered, they will very rarely show any interest in your well-being—that is, if they show any at all! They normally focus instead on immediate interactions or what they can gain from interactions with you.
Taking More Than Giving
If you feel that in a relationship, you are the one giving all the time and the other person isn’t, then you could have a relationship or a friendship with someone who doesn’t care about you. Fake friends take far more than they give, as evidenced by Very Well Mind.
Frequent Criticism
This is a person who will often critique you and undermine you to make you feel inadequate or alone. Whilst a true friendship can go through tough times, a true friend will give you constructive feedback to help you, not just to tear you down.
Gut Feeling
When it comes to telling if a friend is real or fake, you need to trust your gut, as it is a good sign about whether someone is genuine or not. In most cases, when you find yourself wondering if someone is genuine or not, the answer is that they are not.
Up Next: 18 Reasons Older Men Say ‘Nope’ To Relationships
Older men embrace being alone and generally prefer spending time in solitude. They’ve had a full, so don’t criticize them for being less social! The following 18 reasons explain why older men prefer to be alone and are redefining how they experience their retirement years.
18 REASONS OLDER MEN SAY ‘NOPE’ TO RELATIONSHIPS
18 Most Dangerous Cities in the World (5 Are in America)
Across the globe, there are many places you don’t want to find yourself because of the crimes waiting to occur. Sometimes, even nature can be cruel to you. This is particularly the case in the following 18 most dangerous cities in the world, five of which are in America!
18 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE WORLD (5 ARE IN AMERICA)
18 Reasons You Feel Like You Don’t Belong Anywhere
Feeling like you don’t belong anywhere can feel incredibly isolating. We need companionship to keep us connected to the world, so if you’re struggling to form relationships and don’t feel that you don’t fit in, here are 18 reasons why that might be.