I bring this up because with the internet social websites I use - Facebook & Xbox Live, the debate is always "Are you really my friend?" Here the rules I've established so far...
Xbox Live: Do I know this person in Real Life? If not, they are not my 'friend.'
Facebook: The same rule applies, but because it's becoming so widespread these days additional corollaries include
- Have I ever talked to you? Would I be likely to repeat this activity?
- If I saw you in a room, would I want to talk to you?
I would guess that many/most of my Facebook friends probably are not the kinds of friends I mentioned at the top of the post - you know, real friends. It's certainly a good way to network and stay in touch with people, plan events & junk. Sometimes it's nice to know what's going on with old roommates and friends you haven't seen in years.
But the freaky dude with 1 tooth that was in my ward when I was growing up for 2 years, that I haven't seen in 10 years & wasn't friends with then, who's son's are a couple of straight idiots, you sir are not my friend.
5 comments:
Kelly and I have had several long discussions about friends vs. acquittances. I always feel bad when there's someone that I know thinks of me as a friend and I only think of them as an acquaintance. I think a real friend would drive to Goshen just for sodies in the middle of the night, but that's just my $0.02
Are we friends on xbox? If not, add me: tai62
I promise I'll warn you if a train is going to hit you (or a cyber bullet)
Tyler
I'm with ya trav. If you're not up for driving to the middle of nowhere for the best sodies in the state of Utah, you're probably not a true friend.
Ty, we are friends on Xbox, though I don't think we've ever played together... maybe that should change?
Alright friend. I'm usually playing COD4 or COD World at War, so if you see me, let's play!
So, I already can tell that my response to your blog is going to be way too long and contain more details than anyone actually cares about. Sorry.
So, Ry, I can totally see your point -- there IS a difference between friends and acquaintances. Shoot, there's even a difference between friends and FRIENDS, you know what I mean?
But, I have to disagree with you on a couple points: I don't think that you have to know someone in "real life" to be close friends. An example of this for me is when my boyfriend (at the time) best friend died. I knew this best friend but didn't know the best friend's girl friend. Anyhooch, in the process of us all grieving, the deceased guy's girlfriend and I began talking via email. Since we had the deceased guy, my boyfriend and the grief of death in common we formed a major bond. She lives in another state and I've never technically met her, but I count her as one of my closest friends.
Another example I think of in terms of acquaintances becoming friends are those I've met casually through friends but didn't really get to know until we interacted through facebook or blogs. I think I've met you in "real life' twice, Ry, at some of Ken & Kevin's parties, but "getting to know you" through this stuff certainly makes me like you more than the initial five minutes I actually spent with you did (not that you were a jerk ... it just was such a limited interaction).
Basically, to me, friendship comes about by several different means, and I think it's ok to take it in all it's forms ... you dig?
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