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| What Makes a Good Friend: What it Takes |
What Makes a Good Friend: What It Takes
When you think of a good friend, what do you think about? Chances are, you think of someone who is nice and supportive to you. While these are key characteristics of what makes a good friend, there is much more to it.
Respectful At All Times
A friend is someone who will respect you to your face and when you aren't around. If someone else talks about you, your good friend will stick up for you and never join in on the taunting. Sometimes it's hard to know if the person is defending you because he or she may never tell you that someone else was talking bad about you so your feelings won't get hurt (another attribute of a good friend).
Wants Your Best Interest
People who pressure you to do things that you don't want to do and are bad for you are not good friends. Someone who cares about you will only want your best interest and will never make you do something that might harm you.
Accepts You for Who You Are
Someone who tries to change you isn't really interested in being with you but with someone he or she can mold. This person is not someone you want to be close to or around for very long. You should be able to feel free to be who you are and not feel judged by your friends.
Supportive When Needed
Adolescence is a difficult time and you need people by your side that will help you through it. A good friend will listen to your thoughts and show you that you are not alone. He or she will also step up and help you with whatever you need as long as it's not against his or her parent's rules.
Won't Use You for Own Benefit
Some friends will only act like good ones to get something from you – your boyfriend/girlfriend, study help, etc. You know if you have a good friend if it seems as though the person isn't looking to get something out of the friendship other than being in your company.
Compromises When Hanging Out
You don't always have to do what your friend wants to do, both of you should take turns and compromise on something you both enjoy doing. If the person refuses to do something you like to do even though you have done your fair share of things he or she likes, you may want to reconsider hanging out and being friends with him or her in the future.
Keeps Your Secrets
Trust is one of the most important qualities of a good friend and it's developed by keeping secrets. You should feel confident that when you tell the person something in confidence that he or she won't go around school blabbing it to everyone. However, keep in mind, if you have a secret that is harmful to you, someone who has your best interest at heart will tell a trusted adult about your secret so you can get some help. While you may think this isn't the right thing to do, it is because a good friend always wants to make sure you are safe.
A Friend Can't Be Good All the Time
People make mistakes and that means that a friend can't be a good one all the time. When deciding if someone is a good friend, he or she should possess the above characteristics most of the time. If the mistakes outweigh the positives, you may want to start reconsidering remaining friends with the person. |
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