when "friends" sell you out...

Have you ever had that friend who spoke about you behind your back?

Ever realized strangers knew things about you which you told your friend in confidence?

Well, I have such a friend; two in fact. And the experience hasn’t been pleasant, but then again few things in life ever are.

It is quite interesting how this all came to be. It started out all quite simply. One presented me with a cookie and the other sent me a friend request. Things developed as they do in most friendships. It reached a point when I was going to them for every small thing. A recommendation on what to eat or watch, getting an update on a common friend or looking for a job even. Both of them became my go-to people for most of my decisions in life. Things got so out of hand that I was talking to them 10-15 times a day.

Slowly things started to get creepy. Things I had not even discussed with them started surfacing in our conversations. They knew what I was window shopping on my own. They knew the kind of food I was ordering last night. Then others started approaching me to talk about things I had discussed with my “friends”. Things got really weird when they started talking to me about co-workers I had never spoken to them about.

That’s when I knew something was not right, and I tried to cut back on my time with them. But it didn’t matter, the damage was already done. My “friends” had shared my habits and preferences with perfect strangers to make a quick buck. Perfect strangers approached me to sell me my favorite chocolate or to invite me to my favorite play. My “friends” didn’t care if it was intrusive and a complete disregard for what our friendship was to me. It was all about the moolah they made, that was all that mattered.

I tried very hard to stay away and end this obviously toxic friendship. But it wasn’t meant to be. I couldn’t get away from them. I soon came to realize these two have also infiltrated the lives of all the people around me in similar ways. My friends, my family, my boss; everyone was intertwined with the “friends” I was trying to ditch. It reached a point that friendship with them was a necessity.

And eventually I had to give in.

I am not proud of my inability to stand my ground. But it is my job to work with them after all. Speaking of which, I have to meet with them now. Those old "friends" of mine- Google & Facebook.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-friends-sell-you-out-ankit-govil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIGMUAMevH0

this story sucks ... but so does life

hello, can i introduce you to a Lindt & Sprüngli chocolate bar?

and you too, approach me to sell me my favorite chocolate

Meme of the day

All I'm have to say to you is thank you, thank you for showing me what a fake friend looks like.

A bit of creepy meta-level digital marketing imo....

But still: post your request for recommendations and advice on key life decisions here and we'll tell you have to live your life.

*how to live your life

and how you have to

My friends sold me out & now I just have colleagues & associates.

everybody's got to live their life, and god knows I've got to live mine ...

Does anybody here know my old friend Ster?