Lets start off by giving the definition of Friendship.  Per WIkipedia,   ‘Friendship’ is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more beings. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis. Friends will welcome each other’s company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, such as exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship. A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Yet for many, friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them. Value that is found in friendships is often the result of a friend demonstrating the following on a consistent basis:

• the tendency to desire what is best for the other,
• sympathy and empathy,
• honesty, perhaps in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, especially in terms of pointing out the perceived faults of one’s counterpart
• mutual understanding.

That being said lets get into the topic at hand.  The friend code.  We all know it exists.  Its an unspoken set of rules that you abide by when you have a friend.  Some of the rules are sticky but some of them are down right self explainatory.  I’m going to go into my top two.  Feel free to comment on any that you feel are relevent and I will update the post with them!!!

1. Don’t throw your friend under the bus.  If you can honestly talk about your friend behind their back, make up stories to make them look bad and just be down right nasty about them when they are not around, THEY ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND!  It amazes me how many people call someone a friend when the minute they leave the room they’re bashing them like they’re a red headed step child. 

2. I don’t care how hot he is or how wonderful he is, YOU DO NOT DATE YOUR FRIENDS EX.  I dont even care how good a friend they are to you.  But this is a definate NO NO.  Not only are they their sloppy seconds, but you’ve seen the heartache this person put your BFF thru then you turn around and date them?  Do you think they’re going to be any different to you?  And not to mention this leaves you wide open for them to date your ex as well.  And you cant be upset about it!  You have no right to get mad at them for doing the same thing you are doing.  Do unto others as you would have done unto you.  Always remember that!

Friendship can make your life more complete and more well rounded.  It can also cause you unnecessary heartache.  You will never know a true friend until they are either there for you or not in a crisis or if they’ve done either of the above two things to you they’re not your friend and you are better off without them.  Take the friendships that you know are real friends and cherish them.  Life is too short to waste time on people that do not deserve it!

Tags: Friendship