What is a friend?

Being a friend is twofold: in good times and in bad times. However, there is one thing that you might not know about being a friend.

In bad times

A friend is someone who rather listens carefully to understand the situation better than judging the person as soon as they heard it. Friends rather sympathize/empathize when their friends are hurt. A friend is someone who is truthful and doesn’t simply criticize just to hate. Friends don’t belittle their friend’s bad experiences by telling them that are some people who experienced worse. A friend is someone who moves their peers toward a better future alongside them, not pulls them down.

In good times

A friend is someone who isn’t jealous, bitter, nor resentful of their friend’s success but is happier whenever their friends succeed. Friends don’t spoil their friend’s celebrations by telling them what bad things happened to them but the one who supports during celebrations. A friend is someone who doesn’t steal someone’s thunder on their happiest days. Friends don’t belittle their friend’s great experiences by telling them that are some people who experienced greater.

These two things above are enough to consider someone a friend. If a friend could make their peers laugh, treats them with food, spends time with them on a regular basis, that’s good too but it’s just the extra things a friend could do.

There’s one thing that most people forgot to be considered a friend. The last thing a friend should be is…

… someone who can’t find their friends sexually attractive.

Once a person develops romantic feelings towards their friend, it ends their friendship and starts developing a romantic relationship. Anything romantic is not an act of friendship because romance is exclusive for lovers. A friendly reminder, reconsider calling someone a “friend” if they start flirting.

Friends don’t date, friends bond.