Don’t Be “That Guy”: A Field Guide to Lousy Male Friendships

Inspired by Steve Kamb’s article on The Art of Manliness

We’ve all known “That Guy”—the friend who’s mostly tolerable until one glaring trait turns every hangout into a headache. In his witty and insightful taxonomy, guest contributor Steve Kamb outlines the most common types of lousy male friends and how to deal with them—or evolve if you realize you’re one of them.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the usual suspects:
 The Poor Sport
Can’t lose gracefully. Blames the ref, the racquet, or the controller—never himself.
Fix: Own your losses. Integrity beats excuses every time.

 The Mooch
Always “forgets” his wallet. Eats your food, drinks your beer, and never contributes.
Fix: Find a way to give back—financially or otherwise.

 Mr. Unreliable
Flaky, late, and noncommittal. Plans with him are always a gamble.
Fix: Show up. Say no when you mean no. Respect others’ time.

 The One-Upper
Turns every story into a competition. Needs to be the best, the strongest, the most impressive.
Fix: Let others shine. Share stories to connect, not to dominate.

 The Fibber
Stretches the truth until it snaps. Lies to impress or avoid accountability.
Fix: Tell the truth. Trust is built one honest moment at a time.

Kamb also names a few lesser-known but equally frustrating types: the Flip Flopper, the Loud Mouth, the “Takes It Too Far” Guy, and the Garbage Man (yes, the one who tries to date your ex).

The takeaway? Friendship thrives on accountability, humility, and self-awareness. If you recognize yourself in any of these profiles, it’s not a life sentence—it’s a call to grow.