How can you tell when someone is truly your friend? For one, Dr. Robin says when a real friend asks, "How are you?" they expect an honest, heartfelt answer. "So often we ask people, 'How are you?' … and you keep moving as you are asking them," she says. "You don't stop, you don't look them in the face, and you don't give them the chance to answer."

We are often rushed and may ask a co-worker or an acquaintance, "How are you?" and not expect a real answer. Dr. Robin says if that person is really your friend, you should lend your ear to them and expect them to share their feelings, if just for a few minutes. "Friends are those rare people who ask, 'How are you doing?' and then they wait to hear the answer," she says.