Real Friends or Fake Ones?

     I don't know about you, but I meet people everywhere I go. Maybe it's because I'm so talkative and outgoing. Maybe it's because I believe strangers are only that until you introduce yourself. Or maybe it's inevitable that, while out and about, you're going to meet people. And, obviously, you aren't going to hit it off with every person you meet. But, by the same token, there are others who you will, seemingly, get along with right away. It's these people who have the potential to become friends and you then have the delimna of figuring out if they're real or fake.
     So, how do you know which is which? Are there indicators from the beginning that, if you know what you're looking for, can help you determine if a person is real or fake? Which characteristics do you look for in a person that would make you consider them real? Or, tell you, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that they're fake? My opinion may differ from yours, but I know what attributes I look for because I know which qualities, in both a person and a friend, are important to me.
     I believe that the most important thing about being a real friend to someone is being honest with them. This lays the foundation for trust, which you must develop at some point if it's going to be a true friendship that can stand the test of time. This doesn't mean that you have to openly discuss every aspect of who you are or what you've been through. It simply means being upfront instead of shady in the way you both present yourself to others and in the way you handle situations you are put in. This is because a person is only as good as their word, so if their word means nothing, they're worthless.
     Another important aspect of being a real friend to someone is loyalty. This, to me, means not only do you come around when everything is going well and good times are to be had, but also that you stay down when times get rough. Or if a friend is in trouble, and you have the ability to help them out, you should. But, if you are going to be that kind of friend, have the sense to make sure that you're helping someone who is that type of friend in return.
     Lastly, but not any less important is respect. Without it, the other two aren't genuine. How are you honest with someone if you don't have enough respect for both yourself and them to just keep it real? And, without it, loyalty can quickly turn to betrayal, for the same reason. Having enough respect for someone to be able to keep it real with them is a quality that most people don't possess.
     If you don't bring these qualities into a new aquaintenceship, then you will never be a real friend. Of course, though, then you would fit into the other category. Which would make you a fake friend. Fake friends are the ones that will lie to your face, use you for all they can, then stab you in the back. And, no one needs friends like that.
     So, now that I've shared my opinion on what characteristics should be brought to the table by both real friends and fake friends, I present you with a point to ponder. Which kind of friend are you? Would the people who call you a friend agree? And, what about the people you call friends? What type of friends are they? And, do you think that these are qualities that can be judged in a person fairly soon after meeting them? I would say, yes, if you read people well. But, be careful because there's more fake ones than real ones and sometimes the fake ones can bullshit you well enough to make you think they're real. Feel free to comment with any thoughts below. Thanks.