What makes a great friendship?

[Calebark]

How does it start? What are some of the signs?

(Thought it'd be a nice, pleasant topic)

[MisterNeo]

A friendship isn't a good friendship until they tag you in memes.

[lyoko]

How does it start? What are some of the signs?

(Thought it'd be a nice, pleasant topic)

A very thought provoking question; one which I am actually not fully sure myself...

However in saying that I feel like a great friendship would be one where in the event that the friends are unable to see each other everyday, say they don't both go to the same high schools/unis or workplace that while they may not talk each day; when they do talk, it's like they just pick up where they left off from. The conversation between them is natural and just flows, there is no awkwardness when silence elapse  nor when they run out of things to say. Also they just enjoy and appreciate each's other company

Am looking forward to hearing what you guys have to say about it

[Calebark]

A friendship isn't a good friendship until they tag you in memes.

Some friendships actually start with meme tags. Perhaps that's the best way to start, as you're starting at a pretty high level aready. I like your way of thinking.

However in saying that I feel like a great friendship would be one where in the event that the friends are unable to see each other everyday, say they don't both go to the same high schools/unis or workplace that while they may not talk each day; when they do talk, it's like they just pick up where they left off from. The conversation between them is natural and just flows, there is no awkwardness when silence elapse  nor when they run out of things to say. Also they just enjoy and appreciate each's other company

Most definitely! There isn't an expiry date

[K888]

ALL THE WARM FUZZY FEELINGS <3

How good are friends. Legitimately amazing.
I became friends with my high school best friends from just talking to them in class one day in year 7. So like, some of my longest friendships have sort of been created by forced interaction haha. Other friendships, I don't even know how they started - ones on AN just happened by starting to talk to people!

Honestly really struggled to write this. I don't think there's one key aspect that defines a great friendship - there are so many things to appreciate
Having fun with each other during the happy times, supporting each other through the hard times, sharing a lot of laughs, having common ground/interests. You just get each other. One look is all it takes for me and my friends to dissolve into hysterical laughter - no words necessary
Friends talk to you, and hang out with you, because they legitimately like who you are as a person. It's pretty rad.
I feel like another key part of a great friendship is working through the troubles with grace. No being snarky behind backs, actually facing someone and working out your differences, if you have them. Oh, and you are genuinely happy for each other when something good happens! (As in, you get a nice, heartwarming feeling, not just like "oh yeah I guess that's cool)
 
Plus, I guess you've got to enjoy spending time with them, too! And share some good banter and jokes.

That probably made zero sense. But I love friends <3 And I'll probably have more thoughts to share at a later date haha

Oooh, and another thing - in a good friendship, you don't have to talk to each other, or see each other, every day. But when you do see each other, it's like you were never apart. I really feel this this year - none of my close high school friends go to my uni, and I miss them a lot, but we still chat on facebook, and when we catch up, it's exactly like old times, just with even more funny stories to tell

[Calebark]

ALL THE WARM FUZZY FEELINGS <3

How good are friends. Legitimately amazing.
I became friends with my high school best friends from just talking to them in class one day in year 7. So like, some of my longest friendships have sort of been created by forced interaction haha. Other friendships, I don't even know how they started - ones on AN just happened by starting to talk to people!

Honestly really struggled to write this. I don't think there's one key aspect that defines a great friendship - there are so many things to appreciate
Having fun with each other during the happy times, supporting each other through the hard times, sharing a lot of laughs, having common ground/interests. You just get each other. One look is all it takes for me and my friends to dissolve into hysterical laughter - no words necessary
Friends talk to you, and hang out with you, because they legitimately like who you are as a person. It's pretty rad.
I feel like another key part of a great friendship is working through the troubles with grace. No being snarky behind backs, actually facing someone and working out your differences, if you have them. Oh, and you are genuinely happy for each other when something good happens! (As in, you get a nice, heartwarming feeling, not just like "oh yeah I guess that's cool)
 
Plus, I guess you've got to enjoy spending time with them, too! And share some good banter and jokes.

That probably made zero sense. But I love friends <3 And I'll probably have more thoughts to share at a later date haha

Oooh, and another thing - in a good friendship, you don't have to talk to each other, or see each other, every day. But when you do see each other, it's like you were never apart. I really feel this this year - none of my close high school friends go to my uni, and I miss them a lot, but we still chat on facebook, and when we catch up, it's exactly like old times, just with even more funny stories to tell

Quite a heartfelt essay -- I can feel the warmth! Definitely agree with working through the troubles with grace. Some bad times are inevitable with every relationship. It's the manner in which you deal with this that decides if it's a friendship or a FRIENDSHIP

To all those who have responded (and any future responders!): how did you first make friends with those you hold dearest?

[lyoko]

ALL THE WARM FUZZY FEELINGS <3

How good are friends. Legitimately amazing.
I became friends with my high school best friends from just talking to them in class one day in year 7. So like, some of my longest friendships have sort of been created by forced interaction haha. Other friendships, I don't even know how they started - ones on AN just happened by starting to talk to people!

Honestly really struggled to write this. I don't think there's one key aspect that defines a great friendship - there are so many things to appreciate
Having fun with each other during the happy times, supporting each other through the hard times, sharing a lot of laughs, having common ground/interests. You just get each other. One look is all it takes for me and my friends to dissolve into hysterical laughter - no words necessary
Friends talk to you, and hang out with you, because they legitimately like who you are as a person. It's pretty rad.
I feel like another key part of a great friendship is working through the troubles with grace. No being snarky behind backs, actually facing someone and working out your differences, if you have them. Oh, and you are genuinely happy for each other when something good happens! (As in, you get a nice, heartwarming feeling, not just like "oh yeah I guess that's cool)
 
Plus, I guess you've got to enjoy spending time with them, too! And share some good banter and jokes.

That probably made zero sense. But I love friends <3 And I'll probably have more thoughts to share at a later date haha

Oooh, and another thing - in a good friendship, you don't have to talk to each other, or see each other, every day. But when you do see each other, it's like you were never apart. I really feel this this year - none of my close high school friends go to my uni, and I miss them a lot, but we still chat on facebook, and when we catch up, it's exactly like old times, just with even more funny stories to tell

YES!

Quite a heartfelt essay -- I can feel the warmth! Definitely agree with working through the troubles with grace. Some bad times are inevitable with every relationship. It's the manner in which you deal with this that decides if it's a friendship or a FRIENDSHIP

To all those who have responded (and any future responders!): how did you first make friends with those you hold dearest?

Just wanted to say a quick thank-you for starting this thread. Definitely feeling like you said the warmth and just that warm fuzzy feeling relating to all aspects of friendship. Will post my friendship story up soon.

[tashhhaaa]

I think you know when you have a great friendship when you can rely on that person to never speak behind your back, give honest advice and be genuinely happy for you.

A great friend also makes you a better person and inspires you to be a great friend to them. I have a friend I've known since high school who is genuinely altruistic and also extremely driven and intelligent. Being in their presence motivated me to be the same (but not in a negatively competitive way) and encouraged me to express myself because I didn't care about being judged anymore.

I feel that 'you are who your friends are' is often true. I didn't realise the influence my friends had on me until I started spending time with people that possess qualities I admire. I felt the difference in all aspects of my life.

Having high quality friends has also raised the bar for me in terms of who I want to befriend because it helped me realise that I shouldn't waste my time with anyone who disrespects me or makes me unhappy.

A great friend brings out the best in you because you bring out the best in them. For me, there is no other option. I'd rather have a few gems than lots of fake friends

[lyoko]

I think you know when you have a great friendship when you can rely on that person to never speak behind your back, give honest advice and be genuinely happy for you.

A great friend also makes you a better person and inspires you to be a great friend to them. I have a friend I've known since high school who is genuinely altruistic and also extremely driven and intelligent. Being in their presence motivated me to be the same (but not in a negatively competitive way) and encouraged me to express myself because I didn't care about being judged anymore.

I feel that 'you are who your friends are' is often true. I didn't realise the influence my friends had on me until I started spending time with people that possess qualities I admire. I felt the difference in all aspects of my life.

Having high quality friends has also raised the bar for me in terms of who I want to befriend because it helped me realise that I shouldn't waste my time with anyone who disrespects me or makes me unhappy.

A great friend brings out the best in you because you bring out the best in them. For me, there is no other option. I'd rather have a few gems than lots of fake friends

I can also vouch for this. When people warn you about 'hanging around the wrong crowd', it's actually true. I find that when I am with the right people, I am genuinely happier and always have a blast around them. Like yourself; I rather have 4 quarters, than 100 pennies

[tashhhaaa]

I can also vouch for this. When people warn you about 'hanging around the wrong crowd', it's actually true. I find that when I am with the right people, I am genuinely happier and always have a blast around them. Like yourself; I rather have 4 quarters, than 100 pennies

yep it's definitely the way to go imo!

I even improved academically when I found different friends because they cared about their studies and I realised it wasn't bad to do the same. I've always been that way but I didn't have to 'hide' it anymore when I found the right people

[K888]

yep it's definitely the way to go imo!

I even improved academically when I found different friends because they cared about their studies and I realised it wasn't bad to do the same. I've always been that way but I didn't have to 'hide' it anymore when I found the right people

This relates to another great thing about good friendships - not having to put on an act for them - being yourself is good enough and you don't have to fake anything around them
Being comfortable to actually be who you are, that's huge

[heids]

Of all topics on earth, this is the closest to my heart.  Friendship is the only thing that's kept me going and the only thing I've been able to feel/enjoy over the last couple of years.  Let the random thoughts spill!

Different friends have different "roles" or ways of fitting into your life.  You love them all heaps, but your relationships are just different and cater to different aspects of your life/personality.  The language, medium, frequency, topics, style you use to communicate - hugely varied.

Like, some different friendships I have:

- One I see every couple of months and we don't text/talk online, but when we catch up it's completely comfortable, we know each other inside out, and can talk about anything; it just flows.
- With another friend, we spend about twenty seconds on "so how's uni treating you?" before diving headfirst into incredibly passionate and honest discussions of life, the universe and everything.
- Some friends I support, some friends support me, and some friends it's much more both give and take (more balanced).
- A couple of friends are banter friends: we don't talk about how much we love each other, just insult each other non-stop
- Another friendship is based mainly on our shared love of music and plays
... and so on.

Then again, I have a loose definition of friendship.  My way-more-introverted sisters say that they don't have anyone, or at most one person, they would consider to be "friends", whereas I'm far more inclusive, though never to the extent that Facebook labels friends   Then again, do some people have more "capacity" to love?  I feel like some people can love and trust more people more deeply than others can.

Which reminds me: do you think there's an age range for friendship?  For instance, I'm quite close to people of various ages: a 10yo, 50yo, 60yo, and a number of 80yos, for example.  But I wouldn't really call any of them friends even though there's really no difference except that they're not my peers.  Thoughts?

Then there's ~Internet Friends~.  It's a weird dynamic, because I could take on several completely different personas and be several people online that could each make friends with different people (or even the same person!).  Thus when you're friends with someone on the internet, you're friends with the image of themselves they project, which is much more manipulable than in person, and which may or may not match with who they genuinely are.  An internet friendship isn't real to me until I've met the person once at least and it tallies with who they are online - and yet it offers you the chance of getting much deeper in ways you might not in person, too.

[djpetrin15]

How does it start? What are some of the signs?

(Thought it'd be a nice, pleasant topic)

Simply put, when you start talking about completely random shit with someone, then they are one of your best friends.

[sweetiepi]

Simply put, a great friendship means that you can tell them anything, and they are just as crazy as you. (Or if you are cheesed, they'll offer to come along and hit anything for you with a fish stuck to a baseball bat*)

*Weird but one of my friends says this all the time haha

(Will add more thoughts later)

[EEEEEEP]

A great friendship is one, where they won't judge you, you can tell your darkest secrets and one where you can be yourself (though it goes both ways).

There's this great friend of mine who never judges and I can tell them any random things/thoughts. They'll do the same and then we both laugh about it. It is the randomest of random things. Like for example, they might randomly talk about music or funny/weird stuff on the net and then some adult jokes might drop.  It's just chill 

Another thing about this great friend, who I value dearly, I can tell them my darkest secrets, I can rant away about this that weigh heavily for me (or if I'm not feeling so well).    They rant away about annoying sisters, parents and whatnot :').

Last but not least, they allow you to be yourself. They show their little weirdness and oddities, you do the same.  They might show their wacky hair, outfits or even level of introvert .

It's nice =) =)