How to Know a Good Friend: 12 Characteristics of True Friendship
Who is a good friend?
Friendship is a close relationship between two or more people who are fond of and deeply care for each other. It is a bond built on mutual understanding, trust, and support; a relationship that is based on respect, loyalty, and honesty.
A good friend is simply someone who has attributes that define a friend. Good friends are loyal and honest and support one another in both good and bad times. They share common interests and values. Good friends also respect each other's boundaries, especially when it is necessary.
Friendship is a close relationship between two or more people who are fond of and deeply care for each other. It is a bond built on mutual understanding, trust, and support; a relationship that is based on respect, loyalty, and honesty.
A good friend is simply someone who has attributes that define a friend. Good friends are loyal and honest and support one another in both good and bad times. They share common interests and values. Good friends also respect each other's boundaries, especially when it is necessary.
Having the right friends can make a huge difference in your life. Good friends can support you and help you through difficult times, while bad friends can lead you down paths that you may regret. It's important to know how to choose the right friends so that you can enjoy the benefits of healthy relationships. It will also help you to maintain good relationships and health friendship. In this blog post, we will discuss tips for choosing the right friends and how to make sure you are surrounded by people who will bring out the best in you.
Important Characteristics of Good Friends
1. Trustworthiness: A good friend should be trustworthy and keep any shared secrets between you. Trust is an essential part of any friendship. Always go for friends who you can trust to keep your secrets, respect your privacy, and tell you the truth.
2. Loyalty: Good friends are loyal and have your back even in difficult times. They cannot be easily moved by what they hear behind you. They can even defend you in your absence and fight for you when there is a need to do so.
3. Empathy: A good friend has the ability to understand your feelings and be sympathetic to your needs. They are good at understanding how you feel, sometimes when it is beyond what you can express. This empathetic mindset makes a good friend someone to lean on when it feels blue.
“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allow you to grow.” — William Shakespeare
4. Honesty: Good friends will be honest with you even if it may not be what you want to hear. It’s important to find friends who are genuine and honest with you. A sincere friend helps you to know when you are right or wrong, thereby supporting you in positive decision-making.
5. Supportive: Good friends are supportive and provide a shoulder to lean on in difficult times. Also, a great friend will be there to help you when times are tough and celebrate with you when life is good.
6. Respectful: Respect is a key factor in any friendship. Good friends will respect your opinions, beliefs, boundaries, and decisions. However, you have to recall that "respect is reciprocal," therefore you have to respect your friends as much as they respect you.
7. Fun: Good friends know how to have good time and enjoy life together. Yes, friends should lift you up and make you feel better about yourself. Look for people who bring out the best in you. Friendship is more about fun, although it may not always be a bed of roses.
8. Open Communication: Good friends are able to communicate openly and honestly with one another. If a friend often opens up his/her feelings to you, he is a good friend. Only bad friends pretend as if everything is going well in the relationship even when things are not in order. Boosting open communication is one of the ways to promote good friendship.
9. Responsible: Good friends take responsibility for their actions and strive to do the right thing. They behave maturely and also understand when to play and when to be serious during conversations.
10. Compassionate: Good friends are compassionate and will be there to listen and offer advice. They are loving and empathetic. This is one of the core requirements to being a true friend.
11. Shared value: Friends who share similar values and beliefs can be a great source of comfort and stability. The fact that you share something in common with a friend means that you are somehow compatible and can go along easily.
“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” — Walter Winchell
12. Positivity and optimism: Negative people can bring you down and discourage you from reaching your goals. Steer clear of friends who are always complaining or criticizing. Good friends encourage one another and consider one another a motivation to stay positive and plan ahead against all challenges. When a friend helps you stay positive and optimistic, know that he/she is a good friend.
Conclusions
Choosing good friends is an important decision that can have a lasting effect on your life. Ultimately, you should feel comfortable and supported in your friendships. Consider what traits you value in a friend and look for people who share those values. Also, be sure to get to know someone before you become close and remember that a true friend should never put you in a compromising position. With these tips, you’ll be sure to find friends who will bring out the best in you!
Note: It’s important to find friends who are genuine and honest with you. Don’t settle for anything less than good and real friendship.
Abas Obot
Abasiama Akpan (pen name: Abas Obot) is a creative writer who aims to inspire, inform and educate his audience. His major focus is on human capital development, forged by his educational background, passion, experience, and personal objectives. Interested in writing, coding and biotechnology. Co-founder: Inspired Scoop. Social handles @Abasdgreat , facebook twitter instagram linkedin email
