Some people want your connections, your ride, your discount. Notice if they ever ask how you’re doing.

Usefulness can hold a relationship together for a long time before anyone notices what it is made of. The test is simple and it is about direction: does the conversation ever move toward you, unprompted, when there is nothing you can provide. Someone can enjoy your company and still only ever arrive with a request.

Look back at the last few exchanges and count the questions. Try being unavailable once, without explanation, and see what the next message is about. None of this requires an announcement, only that you stop spending most on the people who ask the least.