phonies and cowards

It's hard to tell who's real and who's fake. I'm not talking about the characters on "reality shows" I'm talking about people in real life. I work at a restaurant and I constantly hear, "I love you!" And, "you're my favorite!" from my female coworkers. It's not that I'm sooooo wonderful. Believe me, I'd like to be so awesome that everyone adored me, but I'm just not. The truth is, most of the people who say these things to me do not love me and even talk about me behind my back. They're the same people who would stop talking to me altogether if I didn't side with them on an issue. I am glad I am at a place in my life where I can recognize these people and hold them at arms length. If I wasn't such a coward I'd tell them straight up to cut the crap. But I hate confrontation. So usually I'll raise my voice an octave and mirror the phoniness right back. I hate myself for continuing the cycle.