I'd have to say I am a bit of both. I have my small group of true friends who I stick by no matter what. I also have a small group of people that are fun to hang around with, and are more like casual friends. Guess that means I should vote for other.
Well it won't let me vote, but I am for sure an anytime friend. Broke? I'll lend ya a tenner. Sick? I'll make you some soup. Just got dumped? I'll bring over some ice cream. Just won the lottery? I'll start planning our cruise.
I've had few really good friendships because it seems the closer I get to them, the more they expect me to mirror them, their every thought, deed, feeling. I simply cannot do that. When someone is truly in need, has been wronged, or are in pain, I lay down my life for them, and will give them my all.
Otherwise, if it even hints of manipulation, blood~sucking, or control, I'm unavailable.
Don't get me wrong...I love people, I get off on people, I give and give, but I seem to be the type of person that people want to chew up and spit out, simply because I am so giving, open and loving.
It varies. I have a few close friends to whom I am an anytime friend. I have other friends with whom it is much more casual.
Intrigued, I too have had some of the types of friends you allude to above. In the end you find out they aren't true friends after all no matter how hard you try to work with them.