Recognize a True Friend

Sometimes it can be hard to recognize a true friend, one who is loyal and one who is worth keeping by your side. The suggestions provided in this article will help to guide you in working out which friends are likely to be true and destined to be friends for life.

Steps

  1. Be able to trust your friends. You should be able to trust a true friend and they should return this trust. Does your friend confide in you? Tell you secrets that no one else knows? Let you share secrets? Ask you for advice? These are sure signs that your friend trusts you. However, if your friend hides things from you and acts secretive, this could be a sign that they do not trust you, but it could also mean your friend keeps to themselves or doesn't like to reveal too much about themselves. Of course, we all need a friend who we can be confident in confiding in. People who trust are usually trustworthy people themselves.
  2. Consider comfort. How comfortable is your friend when they are around you? Watch them, are they being themselves or are they timid around you? Are they acting fake - perhaps hiding an insecurity? True friendships can take a while to develop, but if your friend is true they should feel comfortable around you, and vice versa.
  3. Consider the touch barrier. This is not meant in a romantic way, but consider whether your friend is comfortable with touching you. If your friend is fine with hugging you, leaning on you, resting their head on your shoulder, and so forth, then you can be almost certain they love you in a platonic way and are, therefore, a true friend.
    • If your friend shies away from physical contact, there are various reasons for it. They may not be comfortable around you yet, they may be insecure or shy, they may dislike touch, and so forth. It varies among people.
  4. Think about loyalty. True friends are always there for one another. If you are in need of a helping hand, your true friends should be there to offer it to you. True friends do not "backstab" and do not try to get one another into trouble. You should be able to trust a friend with anything, knowing that they will be by your side. During a fight, a true friend will remain loyal and will not reveal your secrets.
  5. Look at how you fight. Nearly all best friends fight, so if you and your friend have a little dispute, don't sweat it! True friends will remain faithful and find their way through a fight, no matter what the size. They will not tell each other's secrets and they still care about each other. If you have found yourself a true friend, it should be easier to sort out your differences and move on from a fight (depending on the severity of the fight).
  6. Consider how you insult each other. Some friends enjoy insulting or teasing each other in a friendly way. If you and your friend "insult" each other without either of you feeling offended, then they may be a true friend. If you insult your friend in a playful way, they should know that you are not serious - this comes under trust. (Keep in mind, however, that not all friends do this.)
  7. Think about nicknames. A lot of close friends love to give each other nicknames! If your friend is giving you nicknames, this is a great sign - it shows they care enough to actually think of one for you. If you are given a nickname, try to think up one for your friend in return - nicknames should come naturally. Think of the nickname your friend has given you. Does it suit you well? If so, this shows your friend must know you quite well and is a good sign.
    • If your nickname isn't such a great one or is insulting, be sure to let your friend know if you are offended.
  8. Consider your inside jokes. Best friends usually have a never-ending list of inside jokes. An inside joke shows that you share a special connection with your friend that others don't. It also shows that you have enough fun and spend enough time with your friend to develop such jokes. An inside joke should be between the two of you, and should also be a cherished memory.

Tips

  • What if your friend doesn't feel comfortable telling you that they have a bad habit and you know they give you hints but you want the truth? Try to tell them one of your biggest secrets, and then try the question again. If they don't tell you still, it doesn't mean they aren't trustworthy or trusting in you; it means they don't feel comfortable. They are still a true friend!
  • If your having a hard time finding a true friend, make sure you're being one yourself. Do you display all the qualities you expect your friend to?
  • Don't expect perfection. Even when you do find a true friend, it doesn't mean you'll always agree. Any friend you make will still have flaws, and will do things that annoy you. It's when you both can overlook each others weaknesses, that you really start to develop a true friendship.

Related Articles

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Recognize_a_True_Friend&oldid=324545"