Friendship Essay, Research Paper
There are many valuable things in life, but friendship may be one of the most important.
To live life without the experience of friendship, is life without living. Human interaction is a
necessity to survival, but developed friendships are an essential to the successful well being of
anyone. Based upon the American Heritage Dictionary, the definition of a friend is, ?A person
whom one knows, likes and trusts.? But to all, Friendship has no defined terminology. The
definition of a friend, and friendship, is based upon oneself?s own notions. Many people look for
different characteristics in friends, things that may be common in nature. There are many different
types of friends that a person needs or wants. There are Five different categories for these friends.
It is best in nature to recognize and appreciate various kinds of friends.
The first type of friend in the friendship latter, is an acquaintance. This is the beginning to all
basics, and deeper friendships. This is the person with whom, is only known on a pure, and basic
level. The insight to this persons life, is merely an observation from a persons perception.
Usually, these are the types of friends that a person may meet in school, at work, local hang out?s,
or somewhere that is frequented often. They are greeted with a mere smile, and daily greeting.
These are the people that know of their acquaintance?s existence and appreciate their effort. Their
kind words can put a smile on the face of anyone, but the true meaning is hardly the truth. The
waitress at the local restaurant make be an acquaintance if she knows a persons regular routine, as
well as waves if she is seen outside of work. The traditional acquaintance may be someone that
sits in class that is shared. It could even be a friend of a friend, someone that is seen frequently but
the extent of conversations rarely going in to depth. These persons we meet, hardly speak to, but
we honor their existence. Once an acquaintance is found to be on a more common level, they may move on to another category of friends.
The second category of friends is, Lifelong friends. They may have grown up next-door,
or with These types of friends, are friends that are most cherished and respected. These types of
people, will be there though thick or thin. They are there without prejudice. They are valued as a
friend, and cherished as family. A lifelong friend is someone with you can be sincere, yet honest
with. Life long friends care about the individual inside, the values and morals that are yet forgotten
in today?s society. It?s important that this person is upheld and respected in the manner in which
is expected in return. It is the person with that is felt to be comfortable with, even at worst.
Impatience is never an issue, concern for the individual is always the concern. They may have
been a buddy in Kindergarten, maybe the little girl who was the playground bully, but now the
protector of all. It was once said by, Henry David Thoreau, ?The language of friendship is not
words, but meanings.? With that quote, that is the foundation of Life long friends. Tears are shed
upon the bond developed between two individuals of life long status.
The next category of friends, and quite possibly the most important to the development of
one?s identity, is the best friend. The best friend is the most trusted friend there is. They may
changed throughout life, but at the time, they may be one of the most important aspects of life.
The person who fulfils this role, with share many common bonds. Secrets are kept, smiles are a
natural part of the relationship. This is the person that spare time is spent with, sharing of
common bonds, or just moral support. A best friend expects a lot of each, but in return they can
be best morale you can get. Best friends can be supportive, but most of all, they tell it they way it
is, or should be. These people are usually the friend that share all of the common ground. They
have proven themselves. They may have been a highschool friend that dressed the same, or had
the same classes.
There is also friends that may be considered tradition friends. These are the people that
you may talk to, but it?s not a necessity. They are people you hang out with to expand the
surroundings. There are there to listen, but they are not as trusting as a best friend. Usually these
are people that are not important to your survival. These types of friends come and go through
out life. They are different faces and names, but they all serve the same purpose, to be there when
convenient. A typical friend like this maybe someone that went to the same highschool, or
someone who may have been involved in the same activities.
Finally, the last type of friend is a Significant other, many would argue with this, but actually
it is a bond or form of friendship. In order to become a significant other, there must be a union of
spirits. It is developed and formed at a partnership. To have this, they must share similar traits.
There must be trust, confidence, and a commitment, all viable aspects in friends. Love is a form of
friendship that is created without selfishness. These people that would fall in the category of
Significant Others would be boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands or wives.
After looking at the different aspects of friendship, it is obvious the inflictions that it makes
on life. Life can not be lived humanely without the doings of friends. The effect of human
affection is one of life?s finer indulgences. It is nearly impossible to avoid friendships, but it is ever
important to everyone to have these friendships. Ralph Waldo Emerson put it best when
describing friends in the Essay, ?Friendship.? When talking about friends, Waldo said, ?From the
highest degree of passionate love, to the lowest degree of good-will, they make the sweetness of
life.? Friends make true friendships possible, and with that, It makes life possible.