Friends, accomplices, comrades, acquaintances, contacts, connections. It seems with social media hubs like Facebook and Twitter slowly taking over the world, that pretty much anyone can be your friend. This is cool – but are they your real friends? Or just internet friends? As I prefer meaning over more, the beauty of technology is that it makes it easier for me to connect with my real friends (or “BBM” friends) as life gets busier and more complicated. However, real friends can be few and far between, as they have to fit a fairly rigid criteria to get their names in our Little Black Books. So – who makes the cut? Here’s how to tell who makes the Facebook Wall of Fame or the Facebook Wall of Shame.

They Tell It Like It Is

Whether you are packing on a little too much extra weight (that is unhealthy), are dating Mr. Wrong, or you have spinach in your teeth, your real friends tell it like it is. Now, this doesn’t mean that they are judging you. Actually, they are doing exactly the opposite.

By telling you the cold, hard truth about how they perceive you, and what you are ignoring in your denial la-la land, they are supporting you. They care enough about you, that they are willing to potentially make you angry or sad and lay the cards out on the table. True friends put themselves in your shoes, and know that even if the truth hurts, the truth works.