Search results
in support of (someone) : in a way that helps or benefits (someone); in a state of being liked or approved of by (someone)… See the full definition Menu Toggle
What does go in someone's favor expression mean? Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. ... Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, or visit the ...
What does the idiom In (someone’s) favor mean? The meaning, explanation, and origin of idiom In (someone’s) favor
- Overview
- Signs to look for in a one-sided friendship
- Effects of a one-sided friendship
- 4 steps to repairing a one-sided friendship
- How to end a one-sided friendship
- Takeaway
In a one-sided friendship, the communication, time, and effort needed to sustain the connection typically falls to one person.
Friends can offer support in so many ways: soup when you’re sick, words of comfort or distraction after a bad day, or a spare bedroom when you need to get away.
Strong friendships are based on mutual support.
One-sided friendships can leave you confused and hurt. You demonstrate an interest in their well-being, but they show little interest in you and your needs, unless you make an effort to draw them out.
When they need something, they seek you out right away. But when you’re in need, you just can’t seem to reach them.
If one of your friendships feels a little unbalanced, we’ve got your back with strategies for recognizing these friendships and keeping them from draining you dry.
It’s all about them
A good friend listens with empathy. If you catch them in a crisis, they might say so, but they’ll make sure to check in with you later. In a one-sided friendship, most conversations revolve around their needs and interests. When you ask, “How’ve you been?,” they share their most recent struggles and then offer a token, “And you?” Once you start talking, they seem to tune out or quickly turn the conversation back to themselves, saying, “Oh, that reminds me of…” or “That’s just like what happened to me the other day…” When you spend time together, they tend to decide what you do and insist on having things their way instead of considering your opinion.
They don’t open up
Friendships can feel unbalanced when one person doesn’t share much. Some people have a harder time opening up about emotional distress or other difficulties. They might deflect questions about their personal life and avoid sharing anything beyond superficial details about themselves. Instead of dominating the conversation, they spin it back to you, creating an entirely different kind of discomfort. Their reluctance to share may not relate to their feelings toward you or your friendship, but your interactions might still feel flat and incomplete. Relating to someone is difficult when you don’t have a clear sense of who they are.
You can’t count on them
Support from friends can make a big difference in times of distress. True friends make an effort to help out whenever possible. Feeling unsure whether you can actually turn to someone when you need them, on the other hand, provides little relief. An absence of emotional support can leave you feeling isolated and more miserable than before. Perhaps you recently volunteered to help your friend move at the last minute. But when you find your dream apartment and ask for moving help, they fail to reply to any of your messages. They might also: •regularly cancel or forget plans •show annoyance or frustration with you for no clear reason •break your trust by sharing personal information with others
Like any other relationship, friendship takes work.
Sure, life circumstances can temporarily prevent someone from devoting energy to a friendship. But healthy friendships tend to involve good communication, so you’ll probably have some idea of what’s going on.
While you may not offer time, affection, or gifts in order to get anything in return, it can still be pretty painful when someone keeps taking but never gives. Wanting affection, particularly from someone who claims to care, isn’t selfish or unusual in the least.
It’s normal to feel upset by an unbalanced friendship, and you aren’t being “needy” by wanting more. You put in the time and effort.
Have a conversation
Different factors can contribute to one-sided friendships. Your friend might have something troubling them, even if they haven’t felt able to share, and they may not realize how unsupported you feel. By opening a dialogue, you can let them know how their behavior affects you and provide an opportunity for them to share what’s going on. “I” statements and other good communication techniques can help you avoid sounding accusatory. Try starting with: “I’ve noticed lately that I’m always the one who reaches out. I sometimes think if I didn’t talk first, we wouldn’t talk at all, and that makes me a little sad. I’m wondering if there’s some reason why I don’t hear from you much these days.”
Change up your interactions
Pinpointing exactly where your friendship feels one-sided can often provide solutions. Perhaps they never text first and then reply to messages with just a few words. Although you think this means they don’t want to talk to you at all, when you explore the issue, you discover they simply dislike texting. You suggest having conversations over the phone instead. Maybe they come to your house regularly but never invite you over. As you’d like the occasional break from hosting, you ask if you can visit them instead. They reveal that they live in a small apartment with family and have very little space for guests, so the two of you decide to meet at the park.
Take a step back
It’s perfectly OK to invest a little less energy into others when you feel drained. Easing up on communication for a week or two can often help paint a clearer picture of your friendship. If they text after a few days to say, “Are you OK? I haven’t heard from you,” they may just have a hard time reaching out first. When 2 weeks pass and you still haven’t heard a word, it’s worth considering whether that friendship is really serving your needs. You might also find that recognizing the friendship for what it is doesn’t bother you as much as you imagined. Perhaps you have other healthy, well-balanced friendships and don’t mind having one friend who wanders in and out of your life.
Instead of promoting a sense of connection, one-sided friendships can create distress. One person can’t carry a friendship alone. Even trying to sustain the relationship can leave you exhausted, skeptical of their commitment, and even a little resentful.
One sad truth of life is that friendships don’t always thrive, no matter how much time, energy, and love you put into them.
True friends accept help when they need it, but they also make sure to offer you the same.
Everyone needs help from time to time, and you shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting some of the same support you provide.
Jan 19, 2020 · Recognize the signs of being used. One immediate sign of a friendship that is not genuine is a friend who is always asking for favors and offers nothing in return. If you have ever felt that a friendship is completely one-sided, you may be being used. It is useful to consider what you are gaining from this friendship.
Jan 6, 2024 · Respect and a clear understanding of the dynamics involved are essential. 1. Respect the other person’s time: When asking for a favor, be mindful of their schedule and commitments. Avoid making demands or expecting immediate responses. Ask politely and give them enough time to consider and respond. 2.
People also ask
What does in someone's favor mean?
How do you ask a friend a favor?
Why do friends always ask for favors?
How do you deal with someone who wants a favor?
Why should you approach someone with respect when asking for a favor?
How to keep a friendship if a friend asks for favours?
Feb 25, 2022 · If you’re wondering what the signs of being a convenient friend are, here are 10 red flags to watch out for. 1. You’re always operating around their schedule. One of the top signs of being a convenient friend is when it always feels like plans need to revolve around their schedule and availability.
