Sad but true. So unfortunate we have to read between the lines when getting to know someone.

I suppose I have people in my life that fit into one of these slots. I often concede a few character traits if I enjoy someone's company. But these people aren't in the close, trusted group I consider friends. Just people I know and see occassionally.

I get a bit stingy with compassion and sympathy as I find most people have enough for themselves, they don't need mine. I think that would be possibly another type to watch out for. The 'all about me' crowd. Where their problems are a crisis, their achievements recognizeable, their success to be celebrated. Yours is shrugged off. Not an equal support system!

Just make sure you are comfortable with someone and keep your guard up. People can disappoint you and that is tough to deal with.

I can be nice to people I don't like. Doesn't kill me. So I go about it that way. Be nice, keep your distance.

And, I suspect, people reading this might not even recognize themselves in one of these categories. They just don't realiz how they treat people.