39: What is a friend?

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff about the definition of a friend.

Thirty-nine episodes in and we decided to the word friend.  Merriam-Webster defines a friend as: one attached to another by affection or esteem.

Friends are people you can share intimacies and experiences with, and you are an important part of each other's lives.  There are two key elements of a friendship--interdependence and voluntary participation.

Types of friendship:

• Acquaintance -- feel comfortable with, but probably don't make plans with, work friends and neighbors often all into this category
• Casual friend -- feel comfortable meeting one on one, feel emotionally attached to
• Close friend -- spend time with regularly, can depend on
• Intimate friend -- similar to a close friend, usually someone you've spent even more time with and can share almost anything.

One study found that the difference between friends and acquaintances is that we reveal much more of ourselves to a friend than an acquaintance. And we try harder to impress acquaintances than friends.

Resources we talk about:
11 Qualities of a Good Friend & Ways to Be An Even Better One, on MindBodyGreen
Acquaintance versus friend, on SocialPro
What is friendship?, How Stuff Works

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