As the saying goes, a friend will bail you out of jail while a best friend will be sitting beside you in the cell saying, "man, that was fun". (Note: to better relate to this analogy, feel free to substitute another more realistic, personalized response for "man, that was fun.") Yes, this hypothetical cellmate (assuming you were already acquainted...) demonstrates loyalty and a sense of devotion (true marks of friendship), but what about those other more tedious traits that might come in handy when interviewing for potential friend-candidates? Well, not to worry, I've got you covered. Simply read along and nod your head in agreement, because I'm about to make your friend search a whole lot easier. You're welcome.
1. A job holder (Responsible)
This is kind of a basic one in my book, and it serves two purpose. Having friends who are employed or have other financial means (legal...most of the time) of occasionally going out for dinner or a fun night on the town shows that they are willing to spend money to hang with you. In addition to allowing your friendship to grow (like a plant), marinate (like chicken), and mature (like a 13 year old boy), it also demonstrates a level of responsibility on your friends' parts to be able to maintain and manage their finances (ok, to an extent...).
2. A pee buddy at your wedding (Serving)
No, this is not just for females (I know what you were thinking guys) cause when your wedding day rolls around, who wouldn't want their best man/maid of honor to be willing to take their nervous-wreck-of-a-self to the little boys/girls room? At times, we all need help. As potentially awkward as a pee buddy might be at your wedding, aren't you glad they're willing to go that extra mile (or 2-ply tissue square) to help you in your time of need? (Seriously, have you seen how much lace and chiffon they use in wedding dresses these days?).
3. A partner in crime...literally (Determined)
While I am not advocating crime or violence, I merely am referring back to the first example (in case you forgot, it involved you in a cell). When the chips fall and you find yourself in need of a body bag, shovel, and 2 bottles of bleach...who are you gonna call? (If you said "Ghostbusters" I give you props, but you might wanna call someone who did not appear in a series of 80's films and questionable cartoons) A less severe question would be, when you have to do something that you'd rather not do (for example, when you're being mauled by a troop of starving girl scouts or Justin Bieber is singing you a solo), who would willingly volunteer to suffer with you? In such cases, these determined and loyal friends won't leave you hanging. Even if they have to drive 2-3 hours to your house, they'll be there for you (cue Friends theme song).
4. A spider/bug/pest killer (Fearless)
Traditionally this friend quality is found in the male
5. A booger picker (Loving)
Again, another odd sounding one, but nevertheless, a trait that you should look for in a friend. As gross as it sounds, a friend who is not only willing to inform you that you have a "bat in the cave" but offers their finger to fish it out is definitely a close friend. Hey, so what if it's gross? You don't have to take him/her up on their offer...but they deserves a raise (and some hand sanitizer to seal the deal). Many friends wouldn't even point out your nostril hitchhiker in public. As potentially embarrassing as this could be, I consider it an act of love from a brave (and quite frankly hardcore) friend. Don't judge me.
6. An old-timer (Wise)
Everyone should have at least 1-2 friends they consider old, whether they are days, months, years, or centuries older than you. Like the first point, this offers two benefits. First, and foremost: wisdom. Not to say that a friend who is only 3-5 years older than you knows everything, but he/she is most certain to have passed through stuff that you haven't yet. While they don't necessarily have the answers to everything (and might be torturing themselves with a horrible major...like computer science or floral management), as older friends, they are usually wise (to an extent) in one level of life-smarts or another. And secondly, my personal favorite benefit of having such friends is that you can affectionately refer to them as "grandpa" or "oldie-locks." sign them up fort geriatric magazine subscriptions, and remind them of their fading glory days when they're having those rare moments of spry and youthful energy (all in the name of friendship and love, of course).
While these are all fantastic traits (in my opinion) to have in a friend, you don't have to limit such characteristics to one friend in particular (even though that'd be awfully convenient). Spread the love. You know you have various friends that you love for different reasons and personality quirks. Not every friend is brave or would stick their finger, willingly, in your nostril to save you from public humiliation. And you know what, that's fine. The more diverse and oddly assorted your friends are, the better.
Too much of a good thing cannot remain good. If you have 3 friends willing to sit in jail with you but nobody responsible enough to bail you out, you're going to be sitting in that cell for awhile. Basically, enjoy your friends and be willing to look for traits outside your "Labrador list". You might surprise yourself with what other qualities you find that you were missing but never knew could exist in others. Surprises (and people in general) may be scary, but not taking chances in building relationships with others is seriously overrated.
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