True friends withstand bad husbands and cosmetic flops

In this narcissistic age of social media, I find it interesting that the braggarts who claim the most friends on Facebook are usually the ones nobody wants to be with in real life. We all know fakers who blow air kisses and suggest we should catch up when we meet at functions. The fact is, we so barely know each other, and there’s nothing to be caught up on. It’s a social gesture – much like when they say they like your dress. It’s well known they would then backhand slap you, adding: “I think I bought one from the same collection when it first came out, last season.”

Then there are those who actually are such sad loners, they’ll desperately latch on to anyone for attention and connection. There’s the workaholic lady boss with whom I literally have nothing in common, but somehow she considers me a friend and always wants to get together to hear all about what I’m up to. I admit, I enjoy people sucking up to me as much as any egomaniac, but it gets a little waning when they get excited about things I don’t even care about.

“Oh, those shoes look so great on you!” Actually, they’re brunch shoes, so clearly that means they are not among my season favourites.