7 Friendship FauxPaus to avoid

These types of situations can happen during the course of friendships and generally cause bad feelings and grumpy interactions. Be aware or you might lose a buddy!

Vampire friendships:

These types of relationships can make you feel like the life force has been sucked out of you. Regardless if they’re draining because of drama, finances or emotional baggage, most of these friendships leave us emptier than fulfilled. When the food supply for these friends is cut off, they often move on to feast somewhere else.

Abandoned for a boyfriend:

A committed relationship can be a beautiful thing, but also frustrating for friends left in the dust while you’re enthralled with a new romance. Strangely enough, these friends may be called on when things get rough or when the relationship ends, but when friendships haven’t been maintained, it can be hard to get sympathy.

One–sided favors:

It’s great that people want help moving or consultation on a big project, but if you haven’t been a good friend otherwise, you may want to reconsider before asking for significant amounts of time, energy, or effort. Some ass-kissery, bribery, or promise to be a more interactive friend could be offered before this grand request.

Social climbing:

Most of us have a social network – many would call them cliques – where some people are perceived as having higher visibility, power or status than others. Meanwhile, some people might see a group as more attractive, and want to join. Be careful people who will use others to gain entry to a higher standing and then not live up to being a friend. You can climb social ladders without stepping on the heads of those around you.

Conditional friendships:

Unfortunately some friendships can remind us of high school. If you talk to certain people, wear particular clothes, or do not conform to super–important behaviors, you may risk being ousted from the group. Hopefully we have found unconditionally–accepting friends to enrich our lives.

Friendships of convenience:

As long as you are one of the most attractive, successful, connected, or engaging participants at an event, these people may talk to you. If not, you’re probably out of luck. Maybe they call you because it’s 1:47 a.m. and they want some funky snuggling and their other top choices have already found someone else. Hopefully your friendships are based on more than just that there’s no one “better” around.

Being two–faced:

In my mind there’s little worse than being unauthentic, especially when it comes in the form of talking behind people’s backs. Although it can be uncomfortable to confront someone or let them know that you disapprove of something they have done, grow a spine and talk to them rather than about them.