Friendship

Ok, this is sort of a cheesy post, but it seems to be something that is on Sarayana’s minds this week.  The follow situations apply:

1.  An ex-non boyfriend is taking you to an out-of-town wedding the same weekend of his birthday.  His “other” friends threw him a HUGE birthday weekend bash with dancing, dinner out, homemade cake and thoughtful gifts.  Does it make you less of a friend that you will not be doing the same or something similar, even though you will be in his presence on his birthday?  Are you obliged to make this a special day?  How????

2.  A friend of yours chooses not to own a car, but asks you for rides all the time: to the furniture store, to the airport.  This is a multiple-times-a-week situation.  Is it ok to say no?  When?

3.  Another friend is running for local political office.  You make a low salary and choose to not spend your money on your friend’s campaign, not because you are being mean or selfish, but because the friend is often “out of line” when it comes to fund-raising tactics and doesn’t act like a real friend at all.

How do you react to these situations?