Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Evaluate the person's loyalty and trustworthiness
• Method 2 of 3: Think about your time together
• Method 3 of 3: Notice how the person shows affection

Friends make life richer and more fulfilling, that's for sure. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to tell when you have crossed the line from "knowledge" to "friend" with another person. Learn to recognize who a friend is in your life by looking for some important elements. Look for qualities such as loyalty and reliability, spend time with you, and show that the other person cares about you.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Evaluate the person's loyalty and trustworthiness

1. Think about how you interact with each other. Friends are usually loyal to each other, which means you won't be reminded of all the times they betrayed you, and vice versa. It's hard for two people to be friends and never let each other down. However, betrayal should not be the norm in such a relationship.
   • If this person never talks about you behind your back, spreads rumors about you, or repeatedly disappoints you in other ways, then it is probably a friend.
2. Determine whether the other person is keeping your secrets. Friends are known for taking their secrets about each other to the grave. If you've said something that no one else needs to know, a friend won't talk about it.
3. Pay attention to whether the other person stands up for you in difficult times. One of the positive aspects of a breakup, losing a loved one or a setback in life is that you can count on your friends. The person isn't just there for you in good times, when they're really a friend.
   • Think of a time when you had a very difficult time in your life. Was this person there for you?
   • A true friend should be with you through thick and thin, through good times and bad. The person should offer to help you in whatever way they can and bring you back from darkness to light. A true friend would never think of abandoning you at a difficult time in your life.
   • A fake friend, or someone you don't know, will probably only stick around when things go well. They may even think or say that your problems are a burden to them. That is the mark of a fake friend.
4. Find out if the other person is happy that you are achieving your goals. A true friend will not be jealous when you have accomplished something or have success in your life. It will celebrate your achievements instead of trying to tear you down. In deciding whether this is an authentic friendship or not, you should pay attention to whether the person remains a friend as you achieve new goals and highs in your life.
5. Notice if the person prioritizes your friendship. If you know that you can always count on this person, they are likely to be a friend. Good friends prioritize their friends over other relationships and situations, especially when they know you need them.
   • For example, even if your friend is on vacation, he or she will still make time to call and check how things are going when you are sick.

Method 2 of 3: Think about your time together

1. Ask yourself if the other person is making time for you, even when they are busy. While people can stay friends even if they don't see each other for a long time, friendships are generally maintained by spending time together. Even if your friend is busy with school, work, or other responsibilities, you can still expect them to make time to call, text, or hang out.
   • This should come from both sides. If you call someone your "friend" but never seem to have time for him or her, you may need to reassess how important he or she is to you.
2. Check if the other person becomes jealous of other friendships. A true friend will not be jealous or possessive - he will be sufficiently sure of your friendship and will not resort to any kind of manipulative control. He knows that you don't have to be around every day to confirm the friendship. If the person is trying to keep you from hanging out with other friends, they may not be a real friend after all.
3. Make sure you enjoy being together. That goes without saying, but friends have a lot of fun together. It doesn't matter if you are bored watching TV at home or if you are in the city, it is all a lot easier to enjoy when you are together.
   • As a result of the fun time you spend together, you and the other person probably have a lot of shared memories.
4. Ask yourself if the other person is helping you to become a better person. Some people might impersonate your friend, but they would much rather see you fail or get into trouble. Every now and then there is always something going wrong. But for the most part, good friends should have a positive influence on you. They motivate you to become a better person.
   • For example, your friend may urge you to finish school, make up with your estranged relatives, and inspire you to give back to others.
5. Think about how you feel when the other is around. A true friend should make you feel happier and happier when you are around him or her, instead of wearing you out or making you stressed. Spent a day with a friend should leave you feeling rejuvenated, alive, and excited about life. That person should lift you, not tear you down.
6. Wonder if you have deeper conversations with this person. If a friend asks "How are you?" You don't have to respond with "fine". Instead, you probably immediately go into how your mom stresses you or how strangely your girlfriend is acting.
   • This element of communication between people with close ties is often referred to as "self-disclosure". You are more likely to discuss private matters with a friend than with a totally unknown or accidental acquaintance.
7. Wonder if the other person really knows you and still accepts you. Friends allow you to be who you are without restrictions. When someone is your friend, you have the luxury of showing them your true self - a self that many others may not fully know - but you can still count on this person to love you and still to accept.
   • Friends don't have to pretend to each other, as many people do in casual relationships.
   • A true friend doesn't want to change you. It will accept and embrace everything about you, even your awkward and stupid qualities. This doesn't mean they have to agree with everything you do or say, but they shouldn't blame you or try to change you.

Method 3 of 3: Notice how the person shows affection

1. Determine if they are listening. Friends will not want to constantly put themselves at the center of mutual communication. Besides knowing when to say something, they also know when to listen. Good listening skills are important with a friend because you want to feel heard and understood by the people you care about.
   • Pay attention during your next conversation. Does your friend take the time to listen to you before responding?
   • Even if a friend is not the best listener, it should be clear that they are trying to listen and not just talk about themselves.
2. Ask yourself if the other person respects your boundaries. Healthy relationships of any kind require boundaries - friendships are no exception. A good friend must be willing to recognize and respect those boundaries. At the same time, he should not feel threatened by it.
   • Suppose a friend tells you that you don't like it when they read your diary or log, then that person should respect your wish.
3. Determine if the other person supports you. A friend is someone who shows affection for you in many ways, such as by supporting you and your ideas, interests, and goals. This person cheers for you when you succeed and takes care of your wounds when you are hurt.
4. Watch forgiveness. Everyone makes mistakes, and your friend must be willing to accept that you make mistakes too. If you screw up and hurt the other person's feelings, you can apologize and ask for forgiveness. A good friend will gratefully accept your apology and forgive you. It will not keep your misses over your head or use it to manipulate you.
   • Suppose you forgot to call back a friend, then it is not going to be the person ignoring you for a few days. The person should then acknowledge that this is a simple miss, and not make it more difficult for you than it is.
5. Listen to honest feedback. What sets a friend apart from the rest of the world is the time he or she puts into you as a person. They care about you, which means they are honest with you even when what they have to say hurts.
   • A friend should give constructive feedback if you're not doing what you need to do. He may say, for example: "You have to get up and study for your math exam. Your grade is already low .... Come on. I'll help you.'