Response

            We all have friends, some that we hang out with more than others, some that make better decisions than others, but they are still our friends and even our good friends, but what is a “good” friend or a “true” friend, or just a friend at that. I mean there is what society thinks is a “true” friend, then we have what our moms think is a “true” friend, then we have our view on what a friend is.

            Society tells us that a “true” friend is always polite, never curses or make fun of others and they are always helpful. They also never do anything bad, they never break the law, never do drugs or drink under the age of twenty-one, they never drink and drive, they never get into fights they are always truthful. They are always dressed “properly” or to the standards of what society thinks is acceptable. Also according to society the perfect friend always does well in school, they get straight A’s never skip a class, they are always there to help you with homework or study, and they play some kind of sport and are in some kind of school club. A perfect friend also is supposed to go out and help others and do some kind of community service. Although these are all good characteristics of a good person does that make them a true friend?

            For parents the idea or a “true” or “perfect” friend most of the characteristics as what society thinks they should have, but a few differences. Your parents think a good friend always hangs out with you, that you and your “real” friends are always doing something together every day whether it is playing sports, studying, or just going out and having fun. Your parents may be more lenient when it comes to your friend’s appearance on how they dress and look than what society thinks their appearance should look like. Parents have a better understanding that your friend are human, and with knowing that they understand that your friends will make mistakes. And they also understand that relationships aren’t really relationships without ups and downs, so they understand that you and your friends will get into fights and disagreements sometimes, where as society thinks that a true friend will never fight with you.

            Then we have our friends, we don’t have one friend that covers all of these traits that our parents and our society thinks that they should have. We have friends that have good grades and we have some friends that have some not so good grades, but they are still our friends. Just because one of our friends may not dress what society thinks is acceptable doesn’t make them a bad friend. We do have some things in common with our parents and society that we think makes up a good friend. One of those traits is being trustful. Knowing that your friend will never lie to you or talk bad about you behind your back and that they will never tell anyone your secrets is very important to everyone. We also want a friend with a sense of humor because what group of friends never make fun of each other, not in a bad way, but in a joking way, where everyone knows that nobody really means the jokes they are making towards each other and they can still laugh at it.

            Let’s be honest most if not all of us have a friend that either smokes and or drinks, but we are still friends with them, just because they smoke or drink doesn’t make them a bad person. I mean sure they may ask you if you want to try it, but all you have to do is say no. That’s how some of my friends are it doesn’t bother me that the smoke or drink because they know that I don’t. Why do we stay friends with them though if our parents and society think that they are bad people if they smoke or drink? Is it because you can be yourself around them and that they are trust worthy? I do have some friends that some and drink and maybe don’t get the best grades in school. Some of them are even my best friends because we can just be our selves around each other, talk about what ever, and we all trust each other. I also have friends that are the complete opposite and they have great grades in school and they don’t smoke or drink, and we are all the same friends. We all hang out together, I think it’s our differences that brings us closer to one another because we get to learn about our differences.

            When someone talks about friends they always talk about they should act, dress, and all these humanistic traits, but with many of us some of our best and closest friend aren’t actually human at all, they are actually animals, our pets. Why is it that some of our closest friends aren’t human and can’t even talk, but yet they are still our friends? Whether it’s a dog, cat, bird, snake, etc. they are still our best friends and we talk to them about everything and even tell them our deepest secrets that we might not even tell our best human friend? Even though animals can’t talk we still understand how they feel, and they understand us as well, and they are always there for us when we need them. Are they our best friends because they are always there for you and you understand each other, and also they keep your secrets and never talk behind your back and they give you unconditional love?

            So what really makes “true” friend? Is it them being human or an animal? Or how they act, dress, how trustworthy they are? Is it how much you spend time together or talk to one another?