So, as I write this, I just finished a journal for one of my college classes, based on interviewing people about their close friendships, using three questions from the class's textbook. I already got the answers from @LassusVulpes @Jeydis and @Wizard so I will pose these questions to you. Now, these questions are based on the differences of male and female friendships, so please don't be offended by the questions. 1. What makes a friendship a close friendship? 2. When you think about your closest friendships with other men or women, what are those relationships like? 3. When you spend time with your closest friends, what do you do? What do you talk about?
I shall try to answer these questions, even though I'm a socially anxious person who doesn't have a lot of friendships outside of my family. 1. What makes a friendship a close friendship? A close friendship is when both/all parties involved feel invested and interested in the relationship. I consider a close friend somebody that I not only enjoy being around, but someone that I feel comfortable and safe with. Someone that I know will accept me at my worst, and yet not ignore the fact that I have flaws, because that's kinda harmful too. 2. When you think about your closest friendships with other men or women, what are those relationships like? Most of my closest friendships can sometimes come off as a little unbalanced and unhealthy. I frequently look to other people to take the lead, especially if they're someone that I feel comfortable around. In all of my closest friendships, in one way or another, I've looked to the other person as the 'leader' between us, but I never explicitly say this, so I may just seem both distant and really clingy. I'm not sure how else to explain it. 3. When you spend time with your closest friends, what do you do? What do you talk about? (For some reason, I'm going to talk about my relationship with my siblings for this last question. I do see them as my friends, even though siblings is a different dynamic entirely). When we spend time around each other we mostly talk about our shared interests and just geek out together. Some of our best bonding moments is when we turn on a movie and make stupid commentary about it.
Weird comment above aside, Link said 'twould be interesting to answer this, coming from an all-boys high school (which conveniently be me only social life), so... here I go~ 1) A 'close' friendship, hmmm... I reckon it be one where 'ya can easily express what 'ya wanna say without that normal nervousness and reservation when talkin' to other blokes yer not that close to, no? 2) For men, I'd say me entire class (I swear, we could pass as a street gang given the right... appearance); we usually gossip, laugh, joke and horse around (lots of practical jokes and sudden steal-and-runs), tease about all sorts of stuff like physical traits, stature, crushes, mannerisms, mistakes somebloke made, our teachers, some funny comment... 'Tis very wide and flexible that 'ya don't need to actively talk every single day, but when push comes to shove one can be assured they got yer back~! As for girls, admittedly I have nary an experience with them besides relatives... 3) As for me closest friends, we usually talk about our lives, usually hilarious things that we saw/heard others say or do, video games (we are at the stage where we be very competitive), our teachers, in sooth it kinda be plain old gossip, hehe... Still, that be what makes our conversations fun; talking, smiling, moving freely like the colossal weight of life's burdens temporarily ceases to exist, ephemeral the moment may be...
I’m late to replying to this thread, but it’s an interesting topic. 1. What makes a friendship a close friendship? My definition of friendship is very simple. It’s anyone who I speak to regularly for reasons other than school or work. A close friendship to me is just a friend who you’re more vulnerable with. They’re the type of friends where I could talk to them about anything with no pressure or worries. Simply being around them is enough. 2. When you think about your closest friendships with other men or women, what are those relationships like? They’re pretty much the same regardless of gender. Even if I previously had feelings for a friend, I still talked to them the way I did before. 3. When you spend time with your closest friends, what do you do? What do you talk about? I tend to talk more about my past with closer friends. Smaller or specific details that I wouldn’t bring up with an acquaintance would go to them. Of course when they need to vent, I listen too.
