If they’re your friend strictly because they like you as a person and enjoy your company, then they’re genuine. Usually they tend to also look out for your best interests and try to help you. If you’re a genuine friend, you do the same in return.
If they’re your friend because they want to use something you have, such as money, resources, connections, etc. then they are not genuine. They’re just using you to get what they want, and when they have it, or when you no longer have it, then you’ll mean nothing to them.
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Originally posted on Quora.
Leonard Kim consults startups and writes books like The Etiquette of Social Media: How to Connect and Respond to Others in the World of Social Media