It seems that good friends are truly hard to find. People stay in the "acquaintance" category and keep everyone they meet at an arm's length distance, yet call everyone their friend. They mean well when they say you can call on them and yet when it comes time that you need their help, they're nowhere to be found. But, if they need something from you, you are treated like royalty, taken out to steak and lobster dinners, you're invited to go with them to the movies and after they get from you what they want, they seem to disappear or they're always busy.
What do you do about these kind of people and how do you know if someone is like this?
Time is the best way to tell someone's character even if it takes up to a year for their true colors to come forth. If someone is wining and dining you, so to speak, you can count on the fact that they want something. If someone seems genuine and yet they seem flamboyant in their stories, proceed with caution. The true friend just might be the quiet, shy type but you can never judge a person by what you see unless it's for a prolonged period of time. People can fake good habits and traits but eventually the truth does prevail and we all have time on our side.
So next time instead of jumping into what you think is a friendship with both feet only to find yourself getting burned, stick your toe in and test the waters a little at a time for a prolonged period of time. Don't rush into anything. Keep your eyes and ears open and the truth, over time will prevail.
