Some people have to learn how to be a friend. I never had to learn. It comes naturally to me to be a good friend to the people I care about--actually, I go above and beyond. I think it's a matter of two things: not having ever experienced a good friend or someone that really cares and/or having different priorities. If you haven't experienced what it's like for someone to love and care about you, how could you ever love or care about someone else? additionally, if you don't prioritize your relationships with friends, you can't expect to keep them for very long. a lot of people prioritize significant others, money, success, and most frequently, themselves over anyone else. If you can't be selfless, you can't be a good friend. I'm at a place in my life where I don't put up with the bullshit anymore--you don't put in the effort and you're out. I have really amazing friends right now. I've weeded out the bad ones and held on tightly to the good ones. At the end of your life, when everyone and everything has deserted you, good friends and family will always be there for you. There are always going to be people in your lives that are there with ulterior motives but it will come out sooner or later so I don't think there's a need to worry. It just might hurt you when it happens.