I have come to a conclusion (based on my experience).
My family will bend their back for me, if I'm in trouble. And I don't just mean my immediate family. I also include most uncles and aunts and cousins and grandparents.
However, my friends pretend to be there. When push comes to shove, they dissapear (not literaly). I've helped them pass some classes in University. I even let one of them cheat from me, and he then gets A's. I didn't mind.
But I was blind. He was only 'nice' to me, because I helped him.
I say this, because I have a cousin who is the best friend ANYONE can have. I mean, I feel BLESSED to have him around. Sure, he has his own life and own friends. And we don't speak often. But when we DO meet, I feel I don't have to worry about ANYTHING! He is not gonna 'use' me.
He wants success for ME, as much as himself. I can't say that about my friends...
...well, that's my vent.
Of course, not ALL friends should be put into this category. I'm sure there are some genuinly nice people out there.
In fact, I met one of these people a while ago. But we've lost in touch. But it shows, there are people out there