by Mable Cyril

Created on: August 22, 2010

8 Tips To Hold On To That True Friend

1.  Stay in touch – did you know that the number one killer of relationships is losing touch? Make sure you stay in touch.  A phone call, an SMS, an email…anything will do.  Just make sure you reach out to your friend, at least once a fortnight.

2.  Money matters – straighten them out!  Try to avoid borrowing money from your friend.  If at all you have to, make sure you chart out clearly to your friend how and when you will repay it, and stick by those terms no matter what.

3.  Be honest – a true friend always gives Honest-To-God opinions.  But remember, rudeness is not synonymous with honesty.  Be careful how you voice your opinions.  You don’t have to be nauseatingly sweet but don’t sound patronizing either, and remember that there is no excuse for rudeness.

4.  Be a true confidant.  Live up to your friend’s trust in you.  Never share your friend’s secrets – no matter how much you are tempted to; not even with your soul-mate.  These things have a way of coming out in the open, and eventually your friend will find out.  When that happens, your relationship will fly out the window.

5.  Never criticize your friend’s spouse/significant other/parents/children – they are a significant part of your friend’s life, and your friend loves that other person too.  Don’t put him/her in the quandary of having to wonder whether to defend them or agree with you.  When you do want to point something out regarding these other people in his/her life, do so with tact and wait for the right time or situation.

6.  Forgive and move on – your friend is human too.  Don’t let petty things ruin a great friendship.  At the first sign of discomfort, talk to your friend about it and solve it right there.  Of course, you must also be ready to arrive at a compromise sometimes.  Once the discussion is over, forgive, forget, and move on.

7.  Love your friend unconditionally – friendship is unique in that it’s the only relationship that doesn’t have blood, sexual, or legal ties.  Hold on to this unique relationship in a world that looks at everything with selfish motives alone.  Savor this special tie and don’t let biases ruin it.

8.  Loyalty counts – stay loyal to your friend.  There comes a time in most people’s lives when everyone else lets them down.  Just the fact that you are right there standing up for your friend might be the only thing that keeps him/her going.

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