Quality over quantity? Sure! But how to make quality friends? We got some tips.
Let's face it, life is incomplete without friends, isn't it? Everybody needs someone to talk to. There are times when we are all frustrated and wish to open up our hearts. That's when friends come into the picture.
In this article...
- How to make good friends?
- How to retain them in the long run?
Do keep in mind, giving rise to friendships isn't everybody's cup of tea. It happens to be quite a task for those who are introverted and shy. Well, there's absolutely no harm in being shy, but you still need to be able to make friends because friendships have a major role to play in our lives.
Trust
It goes pretty much without saying that friendship cannot exist in the absence of trust. Moreover, respect happens to be the fulcrum around which friendship rotates. No matter how old friendships get, the element of respect has to always be present.
Gaining someone's trust is a job easier said than done.
However, trust can be maintained and fostered over time if you are truthful and honest. Now, this might sound a bit obvious (and childish), but gaining someone's trust can be considered a victory of epic proportions.
Listen
Listening happens to be a fine art that isn't possessed by everybody. As a friend (or colleague), you need to be patient enough to listen to what the other person has to say. Also, those who have good friends would know that friendship, just like all other relationships, is a two-way process. By listening to them, you make them realise that their opinions and thoughts are valued.
Calling someone a friend isn't enough, you need to possess certain chemistry and understanding with people, and that would develop when you get to spend some quality time with them. Go one step at a time (slow and steady), and things are bound to get better.
Be patient
If trust is the heart of friendship, then patience is its soul.
It goes without saying that everything in life is bound to take time. As an individual, you need to let your friends-to-be take some time to warm up to you. Being patient would go a long way in ensuring a healthy relationship with friends. Also, it is important to keep the expectations under check as not all friends would turn out to be 'best friends'.
A child's friend circle goes a long way in shaping up their attitude towards life.
(Gulraj Bedi is a freelance writer with Children's Community Foundation)
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