This Is What True Friendships Are Like, In 9 Characteristics
Most of us live surrounded by people constantly; The simple fact of being in a society leads us to interact with all kinds of people, so it is normal that from time to time the initiative to meet up in our free time comes from us. But… Does the fact of meeting frequently turn that relationship into a true friendship?
It may sound strange that outside of work or academia someone constantly meets with people whom they consider of little significance, but if we think about it for a moment, it is not so strange. After all, there are habits that create routines so present in our daily lives that we do not question them. For example, the fact of always going to one of the bars that are more or less the same distance from work, even though we cannot find a rational reason to explain it.
So that, True friendships are something we may never have even experienced, and we may not even be aware of it. How to recognize them?
1. They listen as much as they talk about themselves
Real friends do not stay with us simply to have someone to listen to them narrate their life. Explaining what happens to us is a good way to organize our ideas and release stress, but this is not the objective of this type of personal relationships.
Therefore, in practice, true friendships are those in which, as far as dialogue is concerned, they are based on both giving and receiving. You talk about yourself when you feel like it, but you must also know how to listen and respect the moments in which the other wants to explain their concerns, concerns, desires, ideas, etc. Furthermore, when this happens, the subject is not changed at the slightest opportunity to talk about oneself again.
2. They are there to comfort you
The saddest moments always They are more bearable if you have the possibility of having friends One of the greatest benefits of friendship, in fact, is that those people who have been by our side through significant moments for us are the best suited to accompany us through the emotional pain of disappointment or grief.
3. They congratulate you when it’s time to be happy
True friends know be there when there are reasons to rejoice because of a success that has arrived through its own merits. For example, if a good university has accepted our admission, or when we have won a sports award.
These situations are much sweeter if others share them with us and congratulate us on a success that has come through effort. It makes sense that the social recognition that comes with achievements is expressed more in those people with more reasons to rejoice.
4. They always have time to cultivate that friendship
No matter how much it is said that there are friends so important that they can even go a long time without seeing each other and when we return everything continues as at the beginning, in cases where there is true friendship You need very good excuses to let time pass without attempts to reconnect
This is because the passage of months without dialogue is, in practice, a sign that the emotional bond is diluting unless there are very specific reasons to talk to each other or to meet. Those who really have reasons to stay in touch do so naturally, without feeling forced to do so.
5. They are honest
Constructive criticism is also part of the routine of worthwhile friendship. If there is something in our way of behaving that can clearly be improved, our friends tell us so in a way that makes it clear which path we can continue to progress towards correcting that error. However, this honesty is something that is part of the framework of your relationship, so true friends they don’t talk bad about us behind our backs
6. They help you be a better person
Real friends are people who inspire us, who invite us to improve. This is so for two reasons.
On the one hand, these friends are honest enough to clearly communicate to us what significant mistakes we make, so we know that when one of these people calls our attention to something we’ve done, there really is reason to reconsider. our attitude.
On the other hand, these friends have certain characteristics that we admire and, since at the same time we do not see them as idealized people, They are an example of what we could do
7. They create a private language and humor with you
The complicity between those who share a true friendship is such that their daily lives are full of veiled references to funny facts, anecdotes, shared beliefs, etc. The friends who have been friends the longest They can create their own vocabulary that is difficult for others to understand
8. They know how to keep secrets
It seems silly, but it is very important that friendships are contexts in which we feel safe so that we can express our secrets and concerns in them Whether or not this information passes into the hands of other people says a lot about the quality of these types of relationships, as it jeopardizes their stability.
9. There is at least one hobby in common
For a friendship to be worthwhile, it is necessary to share at least some hobbies. This doesn’t have to be a sport; Conversing about a certain topic, for example, can be considered an example of something that interests two people.
