FRIENDS, TRUE FRIENDS, ARE RARE AND SHOULD BE TREASURED ALL YOUR LIFE

So what is Friendship? It takes place between men and women who possess an intellectual and emotional affinity for each other. The number and quality of friendships for the average American has been declining since at least 1985, according to a 2006 study. The study showed that 25% of Americans have no close confidants, and that the average total number of confidants per person has dropped to 2. Friendship is considered one of the central human experiences and has been sanctified by all the major religions.

During the time of the Roman Empire, Cicero had his own beliefs on friendship. Cicero believed that in order to have a true friendship with someone there must be complete honesty and truth. In philosophy, Aristotle is known for his discussion of friendship. In our Western world, intimate physical contact has been sexualized in the public mind over the last one hundred years and is considered almost taboo in friendship, especially between two males. However, stylized hugging or kissing may be considered acceptable, depending on the context. In Spain and other Mediterranean countries, men may embrace each other in public and kiss each other on the cheek. This is not limited solely to older generations but rather is present throughout all generations.

How does one choose a friend? First of all, you should like yourself. Only then can you have others to like you and your company. Choose those you wish to be close with, carefully. Spend time with each other. Make your friend feel special and wanted. Speak with each other and sort out issues as soon as they crop up. Listen to your friends and help them out with their difficulties. You may not be sharing everything with each other. But whatever is told you in confidence has to be strictly treated that way. Be there for your friend in times of difficulties. All these principles are nothing but common sense. We may sum it up as “treat them as you want to be treated”. There are a number of terms associated with friendship and they include Fair-weather friend, True-friend (which are known to be very rare) and Best-friend. Friendship can be mistaken for comradeship. Comradeship is the feeling of affinity that draws people together in time of war