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Good friends are hard to come by and even harder to keep. A good friend is someone who you can trust and depend on, someone who will be there for you when you need them most.  Unfortunately, humans are not perfect and we often make mistakes. Sometimes we even fall out of friendship with the people who were once close to us. No matter who this person was to you, being able to tell the difference between someone who is your friend and someone who pretends to be can protect you from getting hurt. Therefore, here are some key traits that nearly all friendships share rooted deep within their foundation. 

Are They Honest?

If you and your friend disagree, you should be able to talk about it openly and honestly. This means that you can be brutally honest with each other when needed. There is no sugarcoating things or hiding your feelings – you tell it like it is. Friends who are truly honest with each other will also be able to share embarrassing stories and moments without feeling any sense of shame. As stated in the blog post 100 Best Fake Friends Quotes of All Time from Wealthy Gorilla, the best way to spot a fake friend is if they are always hesitant to be open and honest with you. Also,  if they are not interested in knowing about your life, it may be because they do not want you to know about theirs. So pay close attention to how open your friend is with you.

Consider Mutual Respect 

Respecting each other is another key trait that healthy friendships share. Friends who respect each other will never put each other down or engage in any form of verbal abuse. They understand that everyone makes mistakes and they are willing to forgive and forget. For this mutual respect to existing, both friends must be truthful about how they feel and never hold grudges. Friends who don't respect each other will always compete with the other person and push their agenda.  Also, when one friend succeeds, the other is usually unhappy with it. Mutual respect is important in every friendship because, without it, a true bond cannot be formed between two people.

Do You Share Common Interests?

Having common interests is another important foundation of a healthy friendship. This does not mean that you and your friend have to like the same things, but it does help if you can at least find something to talk about. Friends who share common interests will usually want to do things together and will be more likely to be supportive of each other. On the other hand, if you and your friend do not have any interests in common, it is going to be difficult for you to maintain a friendship. This does not mean that it is impossible, but it will be harder. 

Do You Have Similar Values?

Friends who share similar values are more likely to be in a healthy friendship. This means that your friend's moral standards should not be too different from yours. Friends with similar values will usually have the same ideas when it comes to dating and friendships. For example, if one friend thinks cheating is never okay but the other does not, they may have a difficult time understanding each other. This does not mean that you and your friend always have to agree with each other, but it is important that you share similar opinions, so you know what to expect from each other.

Are They Willing To Compromise?

Friendships are not about one person always getting their way – it’s about compromise. This means that friends can meet in the middle and find a solution that works for both of them,  even if it means doing something they are not excited about. Friends who are willing to compromise will do things for each other, even if they hate doing them. They understand that it's important for you and your friendship. The best way to tell if your friend is willing to compromise with you is by trying out little things and seeing if they follow through. For example, ask them if they want to go see a movie that you don't want to see or vice versa. If they say yes, then they are willing to compromise. 

Are They There For You When You Need Them?

One of the best ways to test a friendship is by asking them if they are there for you when you need them. This means that your friend needs to be able to understand your emotions and know what you're going through without you having to explain yourself. Friends who are unable to relate will most likely make things worse by saying something insensitive or trying to change the topic. Friends who are there for you will be supportive and offer words of encouragement. They will also be willing to help out when they can. The best way to tell if your friend is there for you is by observing how they act around you during difficult times. Do they avoid you or do they make an effort to be around you? 

Do They Gossip?

Friends who gossip will usually talk behind each other's backs. This often leads to rumors and tension even between best friends because they are not being truthful about how they feel. Friends who gossip usually have underlying problems with one another, even if it doesn't seem like it at first. For a friendship to be healthy, both friends should be able to tell each other the truth, even if it hurts. If either friend has a problem with something that is going on in their life, they should be able, to be honest about it and deal with any consequences together.

Do They Bring Drama Into Your Life?

When you find yourself constantly involved in your friends' problems, it is a sign of toxicity. Friends who drag you into their drama will often be pessimistic about everything around them. If your friends do this, then they are most likely not willing to help out or give you advice on your problems either. The best way to tell if your friend is bringing drama into your life is by looking at how you feel after spending time with them. Do you feel drained or energized? If you feel drained, then it is most likely because your friend is bringing negative energy into your life.

As there are many ways to tell if your friend is your friend or not. By using the tips listed above, you will be able to determine if there are any underlying problems in your friends so that you can take the necessary steps to fix them. Friends are important, so it is important to have ones that you can rely on. Therefore make sure to surround yourself with people who will make you feel good and not bring problems into your life.