6 Warning Signs That Your ‘Friend’ Is Actually A Covert Narcissist

All friendships start from a mutual exchange. But when it comes to fake friends, they take a lot more than they give. Don’t waste your time with a friend who uses you to their benefit without getting anything in return.

You need to watch out for these 6 warning signs. They will tell you everything you need to know about your “friend.”

They are an opportunist

Do you have a friend who always makes plans with you and then flakes on them a day later? Watch out—this person may not be a true friend. Instead, she probably compiles three different things to do on any given night, chooses the best one and cancels the other two at the last minute. A good friend will prioritize spending time with you (even if your plans just involve a movie night together at home).

They only talk about themselves

More often than not, fake friends are narcissists. They have trouble forming real connections because they are incredibly focused on themselves. Healthy friendships are about give and take, but a fake friend will take all of your attention and give you nothing in return.

They constantly take advantage of your kindness

Emotionally unstable people do not always make the best friends. While being supportive to your friends is incredibly important—especially if they are struggling with something—fake friends will take advantage of your willingness to listen. They will take you on an emotional roller coaster without any concern for your needs.

They spend their time gossiping

You know what they say about people who gossip about others to you … they are probably gossiping about you to others. Friends who share the juiciest details of some other acquaintance’s life with you do so to create a false sense of closeness. In the end, they shouldn’t be trusted.

They are experts with a backhanded compliment

Fake friends are master manipulators. They know just how to push your buttons by knocking you down and then superficially complimenting you at just the right moment. This creates a vicious cycle where you’re tricked into thinking you need their approval to feel good about yourself, when really they are the ones who are threatening your self-confidence in the first place!

They make you choose them over your other friends

By now we’ve been over a couple recognizable traits of a fake friend—flakiness, narcissism, neediness, selfishness, (the list goes on …)—but what do these things add up to? The answer is simple—an expectation for you to prioritize them over other people in your life, even when they don’t do the same for you.

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Recommended:

• These 4 Zodiac Signs Are The Very Best Best Friends
• Zodiac Friends: Which Sign Is The Most Compatible To Be Your Best Friend?
• 12 Ways to Identify Past Life Friends, Lovers, & Enemies

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This was originally published by Mystical Raven.