How do you define the levels of friendship?

Post Reply New Topic

Basically, that.

This is how I see it:

I consider someone an acquaintance if I get along with them and they're someone that I happen to see during my daily/weekly/monthly routines. A good example of this would be bus drivers. I get along quite well with most of the bus drivers in my area, but I never make special plans to meet them.

A friend is someone that you go out of your way to contact. Whether through a phone call or going to visit them, making plans to go to the movies, etc.

A close friend is someone that you try to talk to as much as possible. You would generally talk to them every day (possibly even several times a day) unless you happen to have some obstruction to this.

These are, of course, external aspects. They don't take into account the things talked about or the emotional connection. I figure that those would present themselves externally.

I consider someone a friend if I feel I could never irritate them to the point they'd abandon me.

That counts for about two people not in my family. Well about one really.

Everyone else is an acquaintance, however friendly.

Acquaintance
Close acquaintance
Online friend
Good friend - All my friends I consider this.
Best friend - I have a couple.
OLD MARRIED COUPLE - I have one friend that has reached that top level of friendship. When you're so close that you've become comfortable enough to watch TV in silence, and you talk to each other like they're your husband/wife and boss each other about. Also, you are invited to their extended family get togethers.

I basically only know three levels, at most:

Aquaintance: Peopl I know and I see on a fairly regular basis (sports, college), but for which I have no interest in doing something with them outside of that regular basis.
Friend: People I don't neccessarily see on a regular basis, but wish to see when doing something.
Close Friends: People I consider closer than my family and that I can stand having around me for the longest time, and with wich I can share my every thought. Also, I try to incorporate them into my special interests, since it is what I enjoy the most and want to share that joy, even though I am well aware not everyone likes the same things, I at least always try.

Stranger: Someone I have never met or talked to at all.

Half Stranger: Someone who I see often, but never have to talked, for example, this lady who takes the same bus as me at the same time, I never talked to her, she has never talked to me, but I know who she is.

Half: Acquaintance: Someone who I don't see often at all, but I would know them if I saw them and they would know me if they saw me.

Acquaintance: Someone who I see often and talk to, but never talk about anything serious with. I may just say "hi" to them or ask them how they are.

In-Betweener: Someone I talk about school/work-related stuff with, but don't talk about general life stuff very often. Like a science partner for example. I probably wouldn't feel comfortable doing something outside of school/work with one of these people. Non-school/work may fit into this category as well in some cases, which would mean someone who I know better than an acquaintance, but not as well as a casual friend.

Casual Friend: Someone I talk to about non-school/work related stuff with, but probably won't wouldn't go to for emotional support. I may or not do things outside of school/work, but I'd feel comfortable doing it.

Close Friend: Someone I'd go to for emotional support. I mostly likely to things outside of school with this person.

There are also people who I don't like that fit into totally different categories than these.

I agree with the OPs definitions...with the exception of the one for close friends. I know some people who need to have human contact every day...I am not one of these people. I need days where I need no or very minimal contact with others. However, there are some people I consider close friends...people who I share and continue to share thoughts, feelings and experiences...and most I may not talk to every few days or even every week. But that's okay...we just pick up from where we leave off.

Well, I would consider a need to be alone for a day (or a few days) to be an obstruction to talking to a close friend.

Stranger: People who don't know me.

Friend: Someone that I talk to occasionally. Not everyday or even every couple of days. Just when I have something to share I will contact them and we may hang out once a month, if even that. Usually living a long distance away.

Acquaintance: Friend of a friend. Sometimes an extended family member.

Not sure where I would place the young family who are renting a room in my house.