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Anyone can be a friend, but do you have what it takes to be a great friend? Sure, you might be in the top eight on ten different myspace profiles, or maybe your facebook is filled with over four hundred friends...but what does this really say about you as a person? Are you as good a friend in real life as your are on-line?

Think about the following questions, and answer them honestly:

1. Do you listen as much as you talk?

One great thing about having a friend is having someone in your life who will listen to you. But in order to have a friend, you need to be a friend. The next time you have a conversation with your friend, see how many times you say the words "I, me, and my" instead of "you".

2. Do you make time for your friends?

Friends can mean everything in the world to you, but like any relationship, if you don't put effort into your friendship, you are bound to break up. Life can be filled with many priorities - school, work, activities, boy/girlfriends. Are you neglecting your friends, or do you make special time for them?

3. Are you there when they need you?

Listening and hanging out with your friends is one thing, but dropping everything and running to your friend's side when he or she needs you is another. A friendship is a commitment. Are you willing to give up things in your life to help your friend?

4. Do your friends have fun when they are with you?

Some people are high-maintenance and some people are low-maintenance, and friends are no exception. People might be willing to make exceptions when they hang out with you (for example, they might not go places you don't like to go), but make sure you are giving them something in return. Friendship is a two way street.

5. Would your friend recommend you to other people looking for new friends?

If your answer is "yes", it means that your friends think you are such a great friend, and they want everyone to have the opportunity to have such a fantastic friend as you. If your answer is "no", you might want to think about how you can be a better friend. (Don't kid yourself, your answer isn't "no" because you're so fabulous that your friends wouldn't want to share...but nice try.)

So next time you find yourself wondering how good of a friend you truly are to others, don't get on-line and judge yourself by the ratings on facebook or myspace. Just sit down and think about the five things mentioned above. If you don't find yourself meeting the guidelines, think about ways you can improve. If you fit the criteria, get out there and make some new friends!

Learn more about this author, L. Layendecker.
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