So You Think You Have Friends?

So You Think You Have Friends? Friends, I say with a big sigh.
Most of my life I have had a very limited number of friends. Apart from that I have a wider circle of people I call acquaintances . Acquaintances because I know them only too well. Acquaintances because I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them.

For years I have observed how they behave amongst themselves. They betray each others confidences without a second thought. They have relentless arguments and slander one another behind each others backs. I want no part or parcel in it. So I ask you today, are your friends really your friends?

Friends are supposed to support you through thick or thin. They  are the ones you should be leaning on in times of trouble. They are the ones you tell your innermost and darkest secrets to. They are the ones who you turn to for honest opinions, or to guide you back to the right track when you have strayed. They are the ones who are at your side even when you have made all the wrong choices and mistakes. Why? Because they are your friends.

Do you recognise any of these familiar faces?

There was Miss Repeat-Offender. She just couldn't keep that big mouth shut, 'Anything you say can be used in evidence against you'. Whatever you tell her, especially in confidence, will be broadcast to all tomorrow. You might as well ring talk radio.

Or how about Mr Schizophrenia? He had a split personality. When the crowd changed, his personality changed and his accent and loyalty went with it. Then there was Mr AllAboutMe. Never had 2 pennies to rub together, but every time we met up for a drink, he would be wearing the latest designer clothes and Rolex watch, he would never be caught wearing the same outfit twice. The exclusive topic of conversation would always be about him, of course. You was just his  prop for the time. He would lap up the compliments all night but unbeknown to many, always went home to an empty house full of credit cards. Not even the bailiffs could collect. 

Ah, can't forget Miss Chatterbox and Miss Verbal-diarrhea. They don't stop talking. You were merely invited out just to be their audience, nothing more and nothing less. You couldn't get a word in edge-ways, and if you did, your conversation would be ignored and they would pick up where they left off.

Oh, how could I forget Mr Dumper? Mr Dumper would shamelessly hunt you down, spy you out  then dump all the gross rubbish of his life into your lap, then leave. From the moment he got his hooks in you, you'd become an unpaid, unqualified therapist. Now when the tables are turned and you need a listening ear, Mr Dumper is like a fox in a hole. He's more scarce than Bin Laden.

How about the traitors? They always tell you that they 'have your back' but soon as you're in trouble they openly go against you, knife in the back is putting it lightly as they have no trouble stabbing you in the front. 

Last but not least, Mrs Aimless. Her mission is to stop you from achieving any or all of your goals in life. She is manipulative, conniving, and whatever your dreams, she will be happy to burst your bubble in an instant. She's the jealous one who can't stand to see you succeed, she'll do her utmost to keep you from getting to the finishing line. The classic dream-killer.

No-one's perfect but does friendship mean having to put up with this? and if so, how would you deal with the above characters?
Or should we hold out for true friendships?
What if that means being alone a lot of the time?


Can you relate to any of this? Or do you have experiences of your own you would like to share?