Do you differentiate between friends and acquaintances?
What makes a friend? What makes an acquaintance?
What do I expect from a friend? What do I expect from an acquaintance?
And finally, where is that line between friend and acquaintance?
A friend
Will be there for me when I want or need him/her — I count on it.
Is one with whom I can share my more personal thoughts — I count on it.
Will not share any of what I have said of a personal nature — I count on it.
Will hold me in relatively high esteem — I count on it.
Will enjoy my company as much as I enjoy his/her company — I count on it.
An acquaintance
May be there if I want or need him/her — but I won't count on it.
Is one with whom I can share non-personal thoughts and, if I am so bold, some personal thoughts — but I won't count on it.
Will not share any of what I have said of a personal nature — but I won't count on it.
May hold me in high esteem — but I won't count on it.
May enjoy my company as much as I enjoy his/her company — but I won't count on it.
So where is that line between friend and acquaintance?
There may be many lines that differentiate friend from acquaintance.
But it appears to me that the most outstanding line is one's decision as to whether or not he/she can COUNT ON IT.
Can I count on you to email me at robertebsen@hotmail.com?
