I had a conversation recently that rang very true... it was about knowing the difference between friends (as in true friends) and acquaintences and how hard it can be sometimes to tell them apart

can you tell the difference?

cuz like you only use your free text messages on acquaintences?

Christopher said:

no I just mean that you have your friends (again real friends, of which those lucky enough can probably count them on one or two hands) and then you have acquaintences which, being blunt and truthful, most people here are...

I have not really had that many friends, but hundreds of aquaintances. I think real friends don't let a friendship fizzle out, they will call up to see what is wrong with you if they don't hear from you.

ZombieKitten said:

bingo

Natisse said:

lol i know was just messin with you

Christopher said:

I need to take humour 101

Aquantinces are what?
People you see at functions and stuff and you say Hi, but don't really hang out, and stuff?
Most of my acquantices usually become friends.
The community I live in is really layed back, and really everyone hangs out.
I don't see the point of differentiating between the two.
I like to make everyone my friend.
I seriously don't understand why the seperation?

Natisse said:

Eeeeee project!

SureThing said:

this was also part of what we talked about... you have this "list" kinda, that are your true friends - the ones you KNOW you could call at 3am if you were in trouble or needed to talk, and also would think to call you as well.

acquaintences, to me, are people just like you say - they're people you may hang out with from time to time and know through others or, in this case, through a website. they're people you like to 'socialise' with but rarely get farther than that

Natisse said:

Very much so

Friends touch your heart and soul, make you laugh and cry ... share deep aspects of life and love

Acquaintences drift in and out perhaps making you smile or

SureThing said:

I used to invest a lot in aquaintances, calling them up and organising to meet and stuff, but when it ends up one-sided I get mad

Christopher said:

I was talking about that movie last night, too... I love it!

ZombieKitten said:

me too

Natisse said:

I'm guilty of that, but I LOVE it.
I live to plan get togethers.

ASnd I LOVE that picture Christopher.

Mach said:

that's a great way to explain it

I think there are different levels of friendship sure, but moreso than simply friends and aquaintances.
I have a handful of very close friends, that I know I can trust with absolutely anything and will be there for me no matter what. I have another group of friends with whom I am close, but maybe don't talk to every day or every week even, and though I know I can trust them, and they know they can trust me, we just aren't quite as close. I don't tell them every detail of my life and thoughts and whatnot. And still more there are people I see on a social basis and I like them and have a good time with them, but we really aren't close at all. Then there are coworkers, who are on another level entirely. Then there are you people.

So no, I can't break it down into just 2 categories.

Natisse said:

It's a matter of perspective Nat.

Everybody is a friend if you want to think about it. I fail to see why people should have to be tested for their loyalty as being "true friends" or not.



The Dali Lama was once asked if he ever got lonely. His answer was "no, because I see everyone as my family."

That being said, I surround myself with a very small number of friends. Not because of trust issues, but because I just can't be bothered.

Carrie and Dan you both made a similar point... and I agree with both of you I guess I shouldn't have been so general in my question

I definately agree it's not as black and white as my question seemed and I'm sorry about that

SureThing said:

I wish our friends would simply drop in unnanounced, I would like that!

SureThing said:

isnt it great? i love your pic too. you are turning into a nice looking asian guy since u came on the org

Natisse said:

No need to be sorry!

As for telling the difference, yes. It's in your heart.

, but true.

SureThing said:

i agree - the differentiation is not really necessary. acquaintances, and even strangers you come across, can have a major influence on you, whether you know it at the time or not. yet another reason to always be aware of your actions and reactions - you could be making somebody's day without even knowing it.

Natisse said:

I don't see a need for you to apologize for a good question

We all know life is not black nor white and that the grey areas are vast

Still in all your question is a good one hun ! I figure most people that tune into their feelings with honesty can certianly tell the difference between friends and acquaintences

IrresistibleB1tch said:

True ... though not every aquaintence in my life have become friends so really I see it as just a natural line that forms not something we have to create

speaking of acquaintences. Natisse...did you receive my orgnote?

Mach said:

true. attaching an arbitrary value to a relationship over another can cut us off from some great experiences. that doesn't mean we shouldn't value our friendships and nurture them, of course - just stay open to all sorts of connections out there.

Red said:

I did get it, yes... will reply asap

I think you know who your friends are. There are differing degrees of acquaintence all the way to friend. What's tricky is you may think someone is your friend and they view you as an acquaintence. And vice versa.

I just break it down like this....Friends you call up to go out to the pub with. Acquaintences you see at the pub.