I’m a big fan of making new friends. Can one have “too many friends”? I would say yes. The point that I HAVE reached is one where people are now coming out of the woodwork to use me in finding them an IT solution of sort. My question is this – why do these people insist on changing back into associates, once we’ve become friends? I believe the answer is simple; society’s addiction to the “quick reward” is now reaching into people’s lives. The syndrome of “want it fast, want it now” has a side effect of leaving friends, family, co-workers and everything else around them “out to dry”, like remnants after a new carpet install, or leftovers after a good meal. I for one, don’t enjoy feeling like a doggy-bag.
- An acquaintance/associate is a person you know, but who is not a close friend. It’s the person you run into in the hallway or feel comfortable meeting in a group setting, but usually not by yourself.
- A casual friend is a person you are more emotionally attached to. You feel comfortable meeting with this person one on one.
- A close friend is a person you spend time with regularly and can depend on. You feel comfortable reaching out to this person at any time.
- An intimate friend is someone you can share anything with.
Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people. It is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an “acquaintance” or an “associate”, such as a classmate, neighbour, co-worker, or colleague.
Acquaintance, on the other hand, refer to those we have met but do not know well. In general, the noun associate refers to colleagues or people we work with; in other words, those we know in a professional context.
Associate and acquaintance are two words we usually use to refer to people we have met but are not as close as friends.
In general, the noun associate refers to colleagues or people we work with; in other words, those we know in a professional context. But if we happen to run into each other again, that’s great. It would be rude not to speak with acquaintances when you see them, but it is not expected that you make plans to see them intentionally.
A casual friend can be someone from work with whom you occasionally eat lunch or attend work-related conferences. You probably wouldn’t call on a casual friend to help you change a flat tire or pick you up at the airport.
A close friend is someone who makes an effort to help when you need it and can be depended upon to keep their word. In close friendships, you are comfortable discussing the things that go on in your day-to-day life, both good and bad. You share your secrets, commiserate with one another on the bad days, and celebrate with one another on the good days.
In an intimate friendship, there are few topics that are ever off-limits. The intimate friend is one who can point out your flaws and offer suggestions for improvement, and while it may be difficult to hear, it isn’t offensive because you understand how deeply they care for you (and you’re willing to do the same for them). The difference between a close friendship and an intimate friendship is primarily time. A close friendship that withstands the ups and downs of life over an extended period of time is considered an intimate friendship.
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