Friendship
The Difference Between a True Friend and an Acquaintance

You need help

• Offer to help you or will give you help without your having to ask for their help
• Will suggest helpful solutions
• Will seek out others to help you if they are unable to help you themselves
• Expecting nothing in return after helping you
• Check to see how you are doing
• Will refuse to be compensated if offered

• Pretend they didn't hear you or change the subject
• Make excuses why they can't help
• Help only if there's something in it for them
• Quickly forget your situation and become self-absorbed
• Expect or demand to be compensated, making you feel guilty if you are unable to pay them back

Something unpleasant has happened to you

• Ask you how they can help
• Sympathize with you
• Listen patiently until you're through talking
• Refer you to someone who may be able to help
• Offer advice only if you ask for it
• Invite you to their home or will offer to visit you at your home to talk in person

• Change the subject or constantly interrupt you
• Act disinterested or unsympathetic
• Tell you they don't want to hear about it
• Lecture you or give you unwanted advice
• Tell you to call back later when you're feeling better
• Compete with you on whose life is worse

You share your deepest thoughts and feelings about a personal topic

• Assume that these words were meant for your ears only and does not share it with anyone
• Ask you if it's all right to share with someone dear to them if they feel it will help

• Assume that since you didn't say this was a secret, that it is all right to share with others
• Tell your mutual friends, but tell them to keep it a secret

You accidentally hurt your friend's feelings

• Tell you in a non-threatening way
• Work on repairing the relationship

• Tell others what a bad person you are
• Enlist others to follow suit

You admit something you did that was wrong

• Help comfort you
• Confide in you about their mistakes to help ease your discomfort
• Forgive you and help you forgive yourself
• Give you advice if asked for on how to get past it
• Help you see the lesson in making the mistake so you can see the positive side of it

• Abandon you because of it
• Judge you for it
• Act superior to you because of it
• Scold or belittle you
• Tell others about it without your knowledge or permission
• Make a mental note so they can use it against you in the future

You have good news to share

• Feel happy for you and congratulate you
• Ask to hear more about it
• Ask to share the news with friends and family
• Celebrate with you

• Change the subject
• Find something to top your news
• Act disinterested or envious
• Act threatened or treat you like you're boasting

An unfavorable rumor about you is being spread

• Not believe the rumor and speaks up in your defense
• Tell you about it if necessary for your protection and will not let the rumor affect your relationship
• Keep it to themselves if there is no need for you to know about it

• Believe the rumor without question
• Stop seeing you without telling you why
• Spread the rumor and will turn others against you

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