Simply, a friend is someone you care about who also cares about
you. Technology may have shifted the definition of friend in recent years, but
having hundreds of online friends is not the same as having a friend you can
connect and be with in person. Technology can facilitate social opportunities
by helping you reconnect with old friends, start new relationships with people
around the world who share similar interests, and maintain relationships with
friends who don't live nearby. However, online friends can't hug you when a
crisis hits, visit you when you're sick, or celebrate a happy occasion with you
after work.
Friends vs. acquaintances or online friends
Sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate between real
friends and mere acquaintances::
Ø An acquaintance is someone you exchange small talk with
as you go about your day, trade jokes or insights with online, or chat about
sports with in a bar. While most of these relationships will never progress
beyond an acquaintance level, with effort, real friendships can blossom from
online contacts, people you meet on social media sites, or from neighborhood or
work acquaintances.
Ø A friend is someone who shares a deeper level of interaction or
communication with you; he or she is someone you can really connect with,
face-to-face. A friend is someone you feel comfortable sharing your feelings
with, someone who'll listen to you without judging you or telling you how you
should think or feel. As friendship works both ways, a friend is also someone
you feel comfortable supporting and accepting, and someone with whom you share
a bond of trust and loyalty.
What to look for in a friend
A good friend will show a genuine interest in what's going on in
your life, what you have to say, and how you think and feel about things. A
good friend will accept you for who you are and listen to you attentively
without judging you or trying to change the subject. A good friend will act in
a trustworthy and loyal way, and will feel comfortable sharing things about themselves
with you.
If a person is controlling towards you, overly critical,
selfish, abuses your generosity, or brings unwanted danger, drama, or negative
influences into your life, it may be the sign of an unhealthy friendship. A
good friendship is not dependent on the use of drugs or alcohol, and does not
require you to always agree with the other person.
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