Real friends

United States
December 14, 2006 7:26pm CST
This isn't a joke or a post to earn money. This is a serious question. Is it possible to have real friends anymore? I hear so much about people that have friends that have helped them out of tough situations, stuck with them through whatever they were going though, friends that they spent quality time with. I've never really experienced this, outside of my friendship with my wife. Is there any possibility of having real friends these days or is that just something only found in movies and books?
15 people like this
106 responses
@Odawallie (128)
• United States
15 Dec 06
There is a possibility of having real friends. Good friends are hard to find but once you do they will stay with you for life. Don't just expect someone to pop and all of a sudden become you best friend, friendship takes time and work, just like any other of relationship. It may be hard but definitly well worth it!
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Dec 06
Oh, I never expect someone to learn all my deepest, darkest secrets after knowing me for a short time. That's how you lose friends... and your reputation. My trouble is not making friends (as in people I can talk with and be friendly with). My problem is finding people that want to hang out after work or outside of whatever place we normally meet at. You can't build friendships if you don't spend time together outside of work or religious groups.
@GardenGerty (157598)
• United States
15 Dec 06
Yes it is possible to have real friends. I have at least two that help me out whenever they can and I do the same for them. It is so good that you are close friends with your wife, that is what I wish for my kids, to be friends with the people they married. I found my friends through church, but other organizations do provide grounds for solid friendships. It is hard to trust people sometimes, but I can tell either one of these friends anything.
• United States
15 Dec 06
Yeah, It IS possible to have these kind of friends, I have two, other than hubby. The interesting thing is that the people who we THOUGHT were these kinds of friends- we met at Church. But they ended up not being true, and not sticking by us through "thick and thin," and even making our "thick" even worse by contributing to it. So its now nearly impossible for us to make friends at Church because we fear they will do the same thing. I am now involved in an online forum locally to help make friends, but I find in these at best the most we have in common may be the movies we like to watch- other than our children being our most common ground. So my husband who has absolutely no time outside of work, school, and family does not have time to go to other organizations to make friends. How would HE go about making friends other than work acquaintances? OTOH I have seen some craigslist posts looking for couple friends (not sicko friends) to hang out with. Unfortunately if we want to hang out with another couple (kid-free) we have to plan enough in advance that we are sure we have a babysitter- which isnt easy when you dont know anyone in the new place you live.
@rosey3223 (1566)
• United States
15 Dec 06
Well, I have found that I am in the same boat as you. I've never had a true friend because I seem to find the perfect one that is going to screw me over some how. I guess I have that "loser" signal that lets all those "mean" people know that I am a sucker because each and every single person that I have come into contact with and called them either my friend or "best" friend have literally screwed me up the rear. And because of that (and other past relationships) I have a hard time trusting anyone that I come into contact with. Don't get me wrong, I think that I make a wonderful friend...you can confide in me, I don't judge, I keep a lot of things to myself--meaning if you have a major secret I don't go blabbing it around, and anytime you need anything I am there to help out. I even go as far as if I am in need of help, but my friend needs it too, I'll push my problems to the side just to help them...I believe that their problem is more important than mine. I do believe that there are good people out there, I just wish that for a change, that I could find one.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Dec 06
Great question! I think it is just in movies and books. I have never found someone willing to go the extra mile without expecting something in return. I have lots of friends but none that would say give the shirt off their back to help in a situation.
1 person likes this
@misskatonic (3723)
• United States
15 Dec 06
You can find real friendship, it's just difficult. I have a best friend, and she's been my best friend for five years now. She's taken care of me when I needed it, she's always been there for me, and I can count on her for anything. And she can count on me for anything, too. We've been through thick and thin. We get together whenever we can. We share everything with one another and we never judge each other. And we smack each other when we need it, and point out when the other's being stupid. I'm very lucky to have her, and I don't know what I'd do without her.
1 person likes this
@liangyin (193)
• China
16 Dec 06
Yes,you are very lucky,
• Canada
15 Dec 06
Im from Scotland and i remember in high school a teacher once told me that it's impossible to keep a friend for life. My best friend and i for almost a decade prior to this year moved to Canada together, had one of the best years of our lives and, it sounds bad, but i consider him my brother, mabye more so than my actual brother...so i think it is possible to have real friends these days, but perhaps society has changed to the point where people have many aquaintances and collegues as apposed to someone they can call a close friend
1 person likes this
@BrendaA (365)
• United States
15 Dec 06
True friends are hard to come by and it takes time to prove. Hang in there I am sure they will come along.
@liangyin (193)
• China
16 Dec 06
I agree with you.
@malsun (1528)
• United States
15 Dec 06
No it does exist. And I am lucky to have such a friend. Will you believe it we have never physically met each other. We talk over the phone and chat and email regularly but somehow we have never been able to meet.
1 person likes this
@nishanity (1650)
• India
15 Dec 06
mayb u never tried having good pals... lemme tell u my personal experience... i was a terrible pal... in school.. i had plenty of pals whom i luvd to hang out wid.. but other than tht there was no emotional closeness... i just dint let them be close... i knew their personal stuff but they dint know a thing abt me... i thought i was the clever one, but i dont know how much i was losing by not confiding in my pals... we left school and my pals tried their best to keep contact, but i never reciprocated much... just for decency sake, i used to return their calls... but when i went to collg, my life changed.. i got a new set of pals who i assume were created for the sole purpose of changing my entire outlook of life... the way tey cared abt me, the way they stuck next to me no matter wat.. the way they consoled me when i was heart-broken made me realise wat a crappy pal i was... i just was too ashamed... now i keep contact wid my schoolpals too... but its my collg pals who r always gonna be in my heart forever... i wud do anything for them... and for a change, these ppl know my personal things and it feels so great wen i confide in them... there are times i even think friends are more important than family... u dont know wat u r missing buddy... its very special... ur wife might be ur pal, but u can get better friendship outside ur marriage too, but only if u make urself available... i do wish u found ur "man friday"!!
1 person likes this
• Canada
15 Dec 06
I've had some true friends, and I've others that backstab me. My true friends are nice, but the backstabbers friends got me into a lot of trouble. Heres some advice: Look for some friends, you can still find them. Don't give up until you find a true friend and don't lose him because its hard to find good friends. If you liked my post, press the "+" button to the right of this post. Thanks!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
15 Dec 06
Reading your post makes me feel sad for you. Honest. Are you really doubting your own friend to be real to you? Or don't you have a friend as close as your brother? Ive got lots of them and mostly they're my childhood friends who really been a true friend for me in good and bad times. Just look around and try to appreciate things that your friend is giving to you. His/her friendship, care, concern and love. People tend to remember always the bad things and forget the good ones. Let's change this kind of attitude.
• United States
15 Dec 06
It's not about a bad attitude. It's that I had two circles of friends. Both got upset that I decided to get married. One set of friends decided that they would do all that they could to break up my marriage. The other group decided to disappear from my life. It is a long, complicated story that would make a great novel someday, but not here. The trouble is that I've moved to a new city and have had difficulty finding friends to hang out with. People have friends that they go out with all the time. I haven't found any yet and I've been here for seven months.
@advocat (88)
• Pakistan
15 Dec 06
are you talking about me
@liangyin (193)
• China
16 Dec 06
You are very humorous!
@don123 (114)
• Pakistan
15 Dec 06
Hey girl, you have a beautiful way And I feel life is worth living today Where would I be with nothing to see? You came in saying all the right things I fell into something I've never been You're embracing me deeper than the sweetest sin You touched my secrets I held in question And passionately unveiled me as I fell in your arms Screaming whispers come from the eyes of my lover With the perfect intent to openly reveal each other Take me wherever your precious heart desires Because I'm amazed to discover such an incredible flame I simply love you for all that you are It's you and me baby, lost in the stars © August Sky, 2006-11-07 Comments poetry ???
• United States
15 Dec 06
You would have swept me off of my feet... if I was a girl. :P
@hac707 (162)
• Pakistan
15 Dec 06
I think it isn't difficult to find a good friend, just be a trustworthy person and think positive. Never lie even to your foes and then observe how many good friends you will be having.
• United States
15 Dec 06
I have a best friend. We've been friends for seventeen years. We've helped each other through good times and bad times. Now he lives about 150 miles from me but we still talk. He comes to visit me and I go to visit him. I'm older than him so when he's having problems calls me and talks it out. That's what a best friend is for. If your wife is your best friend then that's good. Because there are some married people who aren't best friends.
@Thewishlady (1057)
• Netherlands
16 Dec 06
I know ts possible to have REAL friends. I have got 2 Real best friends. I have known them for over 10 years now... We are a group of 3 girls that have a friendship for life. We are there for eachother when needed and help each other trough rough times... So its possible!
@pikaapi (1744)
• India
15 Dec 06
I would say that the main qualities that describe a good friend are loyalty, trust, respect, sincerity, companionship, reliability, love, openness and honesty. I find myself sometimes supporting my friends through a crisis, and when it's my turn to have a crisis, they are usually there for me also. This all serves to strengthen the friendhip. Unselfishness and mutual understanding are also very important, and usually good friends will be compatible with each other. My friends are really supports and encourage me.I am very lucky to have such good friends .I thanks to god.
• Uganda
15 Dec 06
yes these all qualities came in a friendship after a long time and then we may have many friends but we feel like one.
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
15 Dec 06
I think I truely have ONE good friend who cares about my well being and not about what I only have to offer. I have been fooled by many pretending to be my friend in order to USE me for something they want and if they get it, then I am no use for them anymore. I also believe a true friend is not going to judge you for something that doesn't affect them!! I can't say that about so many that I know!
@sudhajan (1219)
• France
15 Dec 06
I agree with u we cant judge anyone.some people will act as our close friends but they use us.And they will say that we are always there but when time comes they skip away.
• Philippines
16 Dec 06
we could still have real friends. i have lots of friends, but the real one, i think they're only two or three or four. they really help me in whatever problems i have. through thick or thin we are together. yes its really hard to find someone so true and real to us.
@jaan123 (39)
• India
15 Dec 06
Yes you can have real friends... I do have few. The truth lies in how you pick up your friends, and how well you judge people.
@isha900 (1459)
• India
15 Dec 06
yes we always need tru friend i have only 1 tru friend
@djsinner1 (113)
• Pakistan
15 Dec 06
well i think we all have some real friends..!! we just have to judge them...
• Germany
15 Dec 06
Yes I agree that we have to find ways how can we judge others well. Also keep in mind that you might lose some real friend if your testing procedure is not well thought