Some “friends” are always there for the good times, but when the bad ones come, they scatter like mice.
They’re not your true-blues, they’re fair-weather friends who have no intention of being there for you when life isn’t fun anymore. Keeping them in your life and believing you can count on them will always lead to disappointment because these people will always disappoint you in some pretty major ways.
1. They’re nowhere to be found when you’re going through a rough patch.
When life’s ticking along nicely, these friends are always up for a laugh, but the minute you hit a bump in the road — a breakup, job loss, or family drama — they seem to disappear into thin air. Suddenly, they’re “too busy” to meet up or even send a text to check in. Once whatever problems you’re having are sorted, they’ll inevitably be back on the scene.
2. They only contact you when they need something.
Fair-weather friends have an uncanny ability to pop up just when they need a favour. Whether it’s help moving house, a loan, or a place to crash, they’ll suddenly remember your existence. However, once they’ve got what they need, it’s radio silence again until the next time.
3. They’re quick to celebrate your wins, but slow to support your struggles.
If you get a promotion at work, they’re first in line to toast your success. But when you’re stressed about work and need someone to vent to? Crickets. They love basking in the glow of your good times but can’t handle any negativity.
4. They’re unreliable when it comes to plans.
Making plans with a fair-weather friend is a bit of a pointless exercise. They’ll enthusiastically agree to meet up, but there’s a good chance they’ll cancel at the last minute if something “better” comes along. You’re left feeling like a backup plan, probably because you are.
5. They’re always happy to party but never there for the clean-up.
These friends are the life and soul of every party, but when it comes to cleaning up afterwards or dealing with the consequences of a wild night out, they’re mysteriously absent. They want all the fun with none of the responsibility, and they’re happy to leave you to deal with the mess.
6. They gossip about you behind your back.
Fair-weather friends often lack loyalty. They might be all smiles to your face, but you find out they’ve been sharing your secrets or speaking badly about you to other people. They prioritise being entertaining over being trustworthy, and if that means throwing you under the bus, oh well!
7. They’re competitive rather than supportive.
Source: Unsplash Instead of being genuinely happy for your achievements, fair-weather friends often try to one-up you. If you share good news, they’ll quickly try to trump it with their own story. Your successes seem to threaten rather than delight them.
8. They’re quick to take offence but slow to apologise.
Source: Unsplash These friends can dish it out but can’t take it. They might make jokes at your expense, but if you do the same, they get huffy. And don’t expect an apology if they’ve upset you — they’re more likely to act like you’re being oversensitive.
9. They don’t remember important details about your life.
Source: Unsplash Fair-weather friends often don’t pay attention to what’s going on in your life. They might forget your birthday, ask about a job you left months ago, or completely blank on major events you’ve told them about. It shows they’re not really invested in your friendship.
10. They’re always available for fun activities but never for serious conversations.
Source: Unsplash If you need someone to go to a concert with, they’re there in a flash. However, if you want to have a deep chat about your fears or dreams, they’re suddenly too busy or change the subject. These friends keep things surface-level and avoid any real emotional connection.
11. They make promises they don’t keep.
“We should definitely catch up soon!” “I’ll call you next week!” If you had a quid for every time you heard those things, you’d be rich! Fair-weather friends are full of empty promises. They say what they think you want to hear in the moment, with no real intention of following through.
12. They’re quick to judge but slow to understand.
When you’re going through a tough time or make a mistake, these friends are quick to criticise or offer unhelpful “advice”. They don’t take the time to understand your situation or offer genuine support. It’s all about quick judgements rather than empathy.
13. They only show interest when there’s something in it for them.
Source: Unsplash Fair-weather friends suddenly become very attentive when they realise you have connections, tickets to an event, or access to something they want. Of course, once they’ve got what they need, their interest in you quickly fades again.
14. They bail on you when you need them most.
Whether it’s a family emergency or you just really need someone to talk to, these friends always seem to have an excuse for why they can’t be there. They’re experts at avoiding any situation that requires real emotional support or effort. The worst part is, they’re completely unapologetic about it!
15. They make you feel worse about yourself, not better.
After spending time with a fair-weather friend, you often feel drained or insecure rather than supported. They might make subtle digs, downplay your achievements, or just fail to show any real interest in your life. True friends should make you feel valued and supported, not questioning your worth.
