It seems like a day doesn’t go by when I don’t hear someone calling another person fake. Yes, I agree there are some phony people in the world who do shady things. Sadly, we often call those people our friends. True friends are hard to come by, while fake ones seem to be in great abundance. WIth that being said, did you accidentally snatch up a fake friend while in search of a good one? Here’s a checklist to see if you have a fake friend on your hands.

1. If your “friend” says things about you behind your back that they wouldn’t say to your face, that’s not your friend.
2. If your “friend” only talks to you when it’s convenient to them, that’s not your friend.
3. If your “friend” acts different towards you around other people, that’s not your friend.
4. If your “friend” used to talk bad about you and is now your “friend,” don’t fall for it. That’s not your friend.
5. If your “friend” is friends with people you don’t like and tells you stuff about them, chances are they probably tell those people things about you too. That’s not your friend.
6. If your “friend” constantly makes you the second, third, fourth, and so on, choice, that’s not your friend.
7. If your “friend” never even tries to start a conversation with you, take the hint: that’s not your friend.
8. If your “friend” always completely ignores what you have to say, creating a one-sided conversation, that’s not your friend.
9. If your “friend” intentionally makes you feel uncomfortable, that’s not your friend.
10. If your “friend” converses with you but doesn’t claim you as their friend, that’s definitely not your friend.

I wouldn’t be surprised if someone’s name instantly popped into your head while reading through the list. But that’s okay, because now we are going to free them from your unappreciated “friendship” and move along to something better. If you look hard enough, I’m sure you’ll find someone that’s just right. That worked for Goldilocks, at least.