How to be a good friend.?

Question

List few examples or share ideas.

Answer 1

1. Be real. Are you trying to be friends with someone to be accepted into a certain clique, or because you'd like to get to know someone else that he or she knows? That's not friendship, it's opportunism. How would you feel if someone used you like that? Just avoid situations you don't want to get into, such as hurting someone and regretting it in the future.
2. Be yourself. If you have to act a lot more hip, a lot more stupid, have more sex appeal or more athletic than you actually are in order to stay friends with someone, then it's not actually #you# they like, is it? Be yourself and find accepting friends - not some stuck up that wants you to change.
3. Be honest. A dishonest person has no chance of having true friends. Keep your promises, do what you say you are going to do, and most importantly, don't lie! Lying leads to more lies, and people will eventually figure you out. If you found yourself lying about something, be honest - go up to them, tell them the truth and how you felt, as well as how you may think they would've felt. Don't be a coward, even when you know you have fault too. Simply talk about it, hope the other person would forgive you. They'd most likely appreciate it in the future, to look back and say, 'wow!' I have/had an amazing friend by my side.
4. Be loyal. If your friend tells you something in confidence, don't blab about it to anyone else. Don't talk about your friend behind his/her back. Nobody likes a backstabber. Don't let others say bad things about your friend until you've had a chance to hear your friend's side of the story. If someone says something that shocks you and doesn't seem like a thing your friend would do or say, tell them, "I know him/her, and that just doesn't sound right. Let me talk to him/her, find out his/her perspective on this. If it turns out to be true, I'll let you know. Otherwise, I would appreciate it if you didn't spread that around, because it might not be."
5. Be respectful. Know the boundaries. If your friend doesn't want to name her crush, don't push her into it. If she has named her crush, don't tell anyone. This is just common courtesy anyone and everyone deserves to get.
6. Watch out for your friend. If you sense that he/ she is getting drunk at a party, help him or her to get away from the alcohol, or at least make sure you offer a ride home rather than letting him/her drive themselves. If your friend begins talking about running away or committing suicide, tell someone about it. This rule overrides the second one, because even if you say that you won't tell that your friend is depressed, you should do it anyway. These may be extreme, but standing up for your friend qualifies also.
7. Pitch in for friends during times of crisis. If your friend has to go to the hospital, you could help pack their bags; if her/his dog run away, help her/him find them, if he/she needs someone to pick him/her up, be there. Take notes for them in school and give them their homework assignments when they're absent and sick at home. Send cards and care packages. If there is a death in his/her family, you might want to attend the funeral or cook dinner for them. Care about them and let tears roll. Give them a tissue and listen. You don't have to say anything, just be with them.
8. If your friend is going through a crisis, don't tell them everything is going to be all right if it's not going to be. It's hard not to say this sometimes, but false reassurance can often be worse than none, and it may undermine their trust in you. Instead, tell your friend that whatever they need, you are there for them. If they need to talk, talk; if they need to sit quietly, sit with them; if they need to get their mind off things, take them to a movie or concert. Give them a hug. You are friends, not strangers, after all. Even a stranger would most probably appreciate it.
9. Give advice, add perspective. Don't judge your friend, but do advise to stay out of situations where they may harm themselves or others. Tell him/her how you perceive his/her situation, and what you might do in the same circumstances. Don't be offended if they listen to your advice and then decide to ignore it.
10. Give your friend space. Understand if he/she wants to be alone or hang out with other people. Allow it to happen. You probably aren't their only friend, so don't be clingy.
11. Make sure your friend doesn't have to spend their birthday alone. You can hold a party for them (even a surprise party if you can keep a secret) or take them out to dinner and pay for their meal.
12. Have fun. Decorate your friend's locker on his or her birthday, have a spa party, host a sleepover, whatever. Join activities with them. There are many different activities in school systems today. Just find a common interest you and your friend share.
13. Never make a promise you know you can't keep. Good friendship is based on trust - if you break a friend's trust, the friendship may be very hard to salvage.
14. Listen to them; you don't have to agree with them - just listen to what they have to say. Make sure they are talking too and you are not just running your mouth. Some people don't really find it interesting listening to someone talk about their feelings 24/7. If you're monopolizing every conversation with your feelings, they aren't getting anything out of the friendship. Invite them to share their hearts with you as often as you share yours with them.

* Good friends:
o are nice to each other.
o share their last piece of gum.
o spend time with each other.
o listen and help each other feel better when they are sad.
o are happy for each other.
o remember each other's birthdays.
o keep each other's secrets.
o let each other have other friends.
o give one another the benefit of the doubt.
* Good friends don't:
o ignore each other.
o call each other names.
o stay mad for very long.
o cancel plans at the last minute to go play with someone else.
o blurt out each other's secrets to other people.
o talk behind each other's backs.
o insist on playing "their way".
o leave each other out on games.
* You don't have to spend a lot of money to be a good friend. The best gifts are often hand-made and come from the heart.
* Don't set too many expectations and rules. That's just trapping others in your dimension, and they would want to be set free.


* Do not be clingy! This will make someone dislike you right away. If you want to know something about a friend, ask them, not others and the internet.
* Experience for yourself and form your own opinions. Don't just take the shortcut and ask others for theirs or stereotypically think she is this or he is that. A person can be excluded and be the most wonderful person you've ever met in your life.
* Don't be needy and greedy by taking up all your friend's time. This could get extremely annoying and irritating. He/she will WANT to get rid of you if you bother him/her too much. Watch for the signs, don't just assume it in your head!