Is it or is it not a good idea? Discuss why and feel free to share experiences. I regret doing it a few times in the past year, but I'm okay now although it lead to me feeling emotionally disconnected to mutual friends of my ex, and leading to me ending at 8 year friendship with a friend cause I feel she 'stole' my other friends I introduced her to when I wasn't around and started being rude to me around them, which was a buildup of other issues anyway. I guess it just lead to me figuring out what I want and learning how to be more blunt and not much of a pushover anymore wanting the world to get along.

An interesting question.

For those of us who run in multiple circles, I don't think mixing them is intrinsically bad, but I've found reason to mix them with discretion.

It's largely a practical matter. When one group irritates me enough, it's always nice to have another as a respite retreat. But, also, different circles represent parts of a social world that while reconciled in my own life, may not as yet be mutually well received more broadly. Many of my out, proud gay friends would mix like bleach and ammonia with many of my religious friends, for example. There's worth in bridging those worlds from time to time, as I've seen that they can learn from one-another. But I'd never just wrecklessly blindside one with the other.

[Edited 4/12/11 9:42am]

Don't try to change people. Whether they are friends or not. Just accept them for who they are. Don't interfere.

That's what I try to do.

I think it depends a lot on what kind of personality type you are. If you're the type who doesn't like being in the middle of conflict, it can be really uncomfortable to mix friends who have strong personalities. But if you can be unbothered by that and expect your adult friends to deal with disagreements as adults, then go for it.

By your use of the phrase "stole my...friends," I'm guessing you're...what...15?

I like it when my friends know (and like) each other. It means we all have more fun.

I've had not so great results on one or two ocassions, but shit happens and that's on them not me. While I do things with different folk at different times, when I have a big get together at the house (if it's like a holiday party for example) I do not separate groups of friends and the rule is: You are both my friend and it's not fair that I should have to pick one over the other so Imma leave that choice to y'all. Whoever can't act right can stay home.

The only problem I have is that one of my friends has slept with a friend from 'another group'.... It makes it really hard to invite couples over, because it would just be really awkward.

Apart from that i'm happy to let them mix... they're all different and i'm sure they wouldn't all get on... but that's the world isn't it?

I know it sounds really immature and I would have cringed too had I heard someone say that. She's been friends with them for 2 years and there has never been a problem. She would just hang out with them more when I wasn't around and start giving me attitude when they happened to be around, though she knew why I couldn't be around for a bit and regretted it. I didn't want to say immature stuff like that, but that is what it feels like cause of the fun stuff they've been doing.