Acquaintance vs. Friend
Anyone that has used social media has seen the "friend" word thrown around a lot. Well what is a friend? Some people feel that if you know someone and hang out with them, they are a friend. However, I feel that friendship is more than that.
Social media uses the term "Friending" very loosely. You might not have a clue about this person that requested to talk to you but suddenly they are a friend?
To me, (preface: this is just my personal view) a friend is someone that has taken the time to get to know me and vice versa. It's not "oh wow, the weather was crazy yesterday." But more along the lines, "Oh, how did that training session go for work? I am sorry about your dog, how is he doing?" Much deeper conversation that just two strangers meeting in passing.
A friend, to me, is one that also will help you out in time of need and willing to talk about life issues and give you feedback, guidance or simply a sounding board.
I think I realized the distinction of this when a "friend" stop by from a work meeting and wanted to have dinner with me. We went out, chatted small talk, and our server asked us something, my "friend" said, "oh we're just acquaintances." I was taken aback at first; I was thinking that was really harsh for him to say in my mind.
Anyway, after he departed, I thought about it. Sure we knew each other, knew where each other lived and worked, but as far as anything else, I had no idea any of his interests, hobbies, anything really about his life partner. Yeah, I guess that was a justified use of "acquaintance."
I would say I have dozens of friends and hundreds of acquaintances. That's not a bad thing or a knock on ANYONE. I think there is just an important distinction and that helps also socially. Knowing of someone and knowing someone is two different things. And if we have a in depth conversation about other things besides weather, furry stuff, undies or whatever, then IMO, that's the start of a friendship and hopefully it continues from there. :)
Social media uses the term "Friending" very loosely. You might not have a clue about this person that requested to talk to you but suddenly they are a friend?
To me, (preface: this is just my personal view) a friend is someone that has taken the time to get to know me and vice versa. It's not "oh wow, the weather was crazy yesterday." But more along the lines, "Oh, how did that training session go for work? I am sorry about your dog, how is he doing?" Much deeper conversation that just two strangers meeting in passing.
A friend, to me, is one that also will help you out in time of need and willing to talk about life issues and give you feedback, guidance or simply a sounding board.
I think I realized the distinction of this when a "friend" stop by from a work meeting and wanted to have dinner with me. We went out, chatted small talk, and our server asked us something, my "friend" said, "oh we're just acquaintances." I was taken aback at first; I was thinking that was really harsh for him to say in my mind.
Anyway, after he departed, I thought about it. Sure we knew each other, knew where each other lived and worked, but as far as anything else, I had no idea any of his interests, hobbies, anything really about his life partner. Yeah, I guess that was a justified use of "acquaintance."
I would say I have dozens of friends and hundreds of acquaintances. That's not a bad thing or a knock on ANYONE. I think there is just an important distinction and that helps also socially. Knowing of someone and knowing someone is two different things. And if we have a in depth conversation about other things besides weather, furry stuff, undies or whatever, then IMO, that's the start of a friendship and hopefully it continues from there. :)