Are there people in your social network who never reciprocate?  These are the people you’ve invited to go out time and time again but never extend any social offers to you in return.  Or, they’re the one who always seems to have left their wallet at home or in their car when it’s time to buy the next round of drinks.

If you don’t have a friend like this, chances are excellent that you are that friend.

I have a friend of a little over 2 years who doesn’t reciprocate.  We’ve gone on short road trips, gone to clubs and seen movies, gone out to eat together.  We’re in an organization with each other, and we live within walking distance of each other.  The thing is, I don’t think she doesn’t want to be friends.  I think she doesn’t realize she’s that friend.

I stopped inviting her out to do things when I realized she had extended an invitation to me only once in 2 years and almost always declined my invitations.  It grew to be so long since I’d invited her anywhere, I’d completely forgotten why I’d stopped inviting her in the first place.  But I quickly remembered why when I extended another offer and she declined.  I won’t make the mistake of inviting her somewhere again.

Reciprocating is easy.  Here are a few ways you can stop being that friend immediately:

(more…)