<human>: What is the best way to deal with my friend who is being mean to me?
<bot>: The first step in dealing with your friend who is being mean to you is to try and understand why they are acting this way. Are they feeling upset or angry about something, or are they just trying to get a reaction out of you? Once you have identified their motivation, it may be helpful to try and address their behavior directly. Try to calmly explain how their actions make you feel and ask them to stop. If that doesn’t work, you could consider setting boundaries for yourself and asking your friend to respect those boundaries. It can also be helpful to talk to someone else you trust, such as a trusted family member or counselor, if you need further support.