True friends

Originally published on: 2024-12-23

We consider that for somebody to qualify as a "true" friend:

We should know each other for a very long time, preferably since childhood.
We must communicate with them regularly, preferably every day — to know "how they are".
And, of course, "true" friends are for life.

I would argue, "situational" friends are much "truer":

Stranger gives you a ride — you will never meet again, but he influenced your life.
You had a deep level connection with somebody at a hostel — it manifested in several late night conversations, then you just parted ways.
Somebody payed for you subway ticket, when your wallet got stolen (again, you probably won't meet again).

Classical "true" friends are so rare, that I was almost tempted to state, that they do not exist at all.

Friendships that are not bound by rules of "truthness" are so much deeper and alive...