1. What is a friend?

A.  
• A friend is someone you can count on in a pinch. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" - Old proverb

C.  
• Someone that you can talk to, someone who will listen, and someone you should be able to rely on.

D.  
• A friend is someone you can call and talk to or just hang out with.

F.  
• a friend to me is someone I can run to no matter how long it's been since we talked. it also means that we can compromise if we have different views, understand and enjoy those differences...

G.  
• A friend is one with whom you have become aquanted at one point, and thereafter have held either 1) common interest, 2) mutual experiences, or 3) all of the above. This relationship is generally strengthened with time and experience. After time the lengths at which you are willing to go for this person will increase, climaxing in the willingness to die for him or her. "No greater love hath he than one who would lay his life down for a friend."

H.  
• Someone you can talk to, think about, and have a connection with.

I.  
• A friend to me is someone I know, and care about. And will help if I can in any way. I have a lot of friends, and I do care about them, but there is a limit to what I will do and how much I open up to them.

J.  
• A friend is an aquaintance that you talk to from time to time and can talk to about most things.

K.  
• someone that you trust, hanging out and do stuff with. someone that you have some common interests and that you like to be around. knowing that if they're a real friend, no matter what you say or do, they're not going to judge you.

L.  
• Somone you can count on, even after you've spit in their face

M.  
• A friend is someone who knows you, your strengths and weaknesses and still respects and appreciates you! There is a form of love that is associated with friendship and that prevails over any difficulty.

N.  
• friend is someone who you hang out with.

O.  
• A friend is someone you’ve shared (and enjoyed) unique and personal experiences with. What does that mean? You wouldn’t call someone you chat with for 10 minutes once a week a friend simply because there’s nothing unique about that. You’d call someone that you have inside jokes with a friend... someone you can laugh with about things that have happened to you, regardless of how embarrassing or upsetting they may be. Basically someone you share something special with.

P.  
• Someone whose company you enjoy or whose thoughts are of interest to you? There’s gotta be something there that makes them a friend instead of just someone you know :D

Q.  
• One that accepts you as you are; who knows your faults and strengths. Where you can speak your mind and there is understanding. When there is silence and there is understanding.

2. What is a best friend?

A.  
• A best friend is someone who gets you in the pinch... and you don't mind. :) It is also someone that accepts your flaws and idiosyncratic behavior, and who knows you as well as you know yourself. There is no single best friend.

C.  
• Someone that you can confide in and someone that will support you no matter what, no questions asked.

D.  
• Is someone you can tell everything and anything to. And is always there for you.

F.  
• a best friend is someone who no matter how many years it's been since you've seen them they still know all of your little querks and want to know your new ones. or someone that I can spend everyday with and still find that I can stand to be around them. it's someone that I trust with my secrets... and my pain and my joy and they want to share their's with me

G.  
• A term generally used by children, often coupled with an order. (i.e. my 1st best friend, my 2nd best friend, etc). Most people grow out of this term.

H.  
• Someone you have a strong connection with, a bond to, and can confide with. They will be unafraid to be open and honest with you, and sometimes that might hurt, but they really mean the best of intentions.

I.  
• To me my best friends mean the world to me, I don't have many because they are the ones that have earned my trust. They are someone that I can go to no matter what. And that can come to me. We share such a close bond that we can even tell what the other is thinking most of the time. They are people I would give anything to, and do anything for. They are someone that I can agree to disagree with. They are the ones I respect and love as much as any member of my family, and I know it is the same for them.

J.  
• A best friend is someone who will always be there for you no matter what goes wrong, and you can talk to a best friend about nearly anything. (Some things, I feel, should be reserved for the special someone in your life)

K.  
• this is like a friend but better. hehe. you know that they'll stay friends through almost anything (if not everything). most best friends will do anything for that friend.

L.  
• Friend that you are the closest too, or spend the most time with

M.  
• A best friend is someone you know and they know you and you consider them in time of need; help, support, strength, share good and bad with. This is the person you would call when you really need a boost or help or someone to talk with. This person would be on the top of all lists as the go to person for you.

N.  
• best friend is someone who understands you, knows where youre comin from. someone you can call names or fuck around with and they know how you mean it

O.  
• I don’t believe in “best” friends, because all of my friends are different, and none are better or worse than any other. Yeah, I’ve shared a lot more with certain friends, and yeah I feel a lot closer to certain people, but there are too many variables to a friendship to simply label one the “best”

P.  
• One of your friends who is closer than the rest (are a few friends who are closer than the rest). You can count on them and you know (pretty much exactly) what to expect from them and (you figure) they know what to expect from you.

Q.  
• As before, but the one who is most with you for whatever reason.

3. What makes the difference?

A.  
• Complete and total acceptance. "A simple friend opens a conversation with a full news bulletin on his life. A real friend says, 'What's new with you?'"

C.  
• Wether you can trust them and know that they are always there. And can make up if anything happens

D.  
• Trust and loyalty. Every friend has a different level of each.

F.  
• the difference is how well they know me... the difference is how well I know them and what will be shared between us...

G.  
• An adjective.

H.  
• If they are willing to be honest with you, no matter how hard.

I.  
• The extent of trust you have for the person. It takes a lot to build a relationship to consider the person/s a best friend. It's all a matter of trust, honesty, and time.

J.  
• The level of trust between you and the friend/best friend. A friend you trust only so far, a best friend you can trust explicitly.

K.  
• this can be summed up in a quote I once heard. ;) though I'm not sure who wrote it. "A friend is someone who will bail you out of jail, but your best friend is the one sitting next to you saying "That was f*cking awesome!"

L.  
• Not much, All friends should be as close to best friends as they can.

M.  
• The difference is you would probably tell your best friend more personal and sensitive feelings too and consider them to be safe or that you would feel more support from a best friend and they would be the first on your list of friends to talk with most every time.

N.  
• difference is you can count on best friends more

O.  
• I’ll answer this as “what is the difference between your friends,” and that’s the variance in closeness and connection on different levels of friendship. Closeness is essentially how comfortable you are with a person on a variety of levels.. How comfortable you are sharing your life with (as in something as “trivial” as grabbing lunch with someone, or something as “intense” as pouring deep emotions out and everything in between.. all very important levels of closeness)

P.  
• The degree of trust and how far you’ll go for the person.

Q.  
• Life is busy and there is so often scarce free time and therefore that time is not to be wasted. With a best friend there is never any wasted time.

4. Is a close friend the same as a best friend or is that another level of friendship?

A.  
• I don't know what is the qualification between close and best? Or perhaps I just believe that my close friends are my best friends and that I have no one best friend.

C.  
• They are different. A close friend is just someone you can confide in, your best friend will have the loyalty.

D.  
• Yes, its the same thing

F.  
• a close friendship is something different...

G.  
• A close friend segregates an echelon between people for whom you really and truely care for, versus someone you'd hang out in a bar with, maybe play a video game, or something similar. Basically, a close friend wouldn't have a problem doing nothing.

H.  
• Close friend can be a best friend, you can have more than one.

I.  
• I can't speak for others, but to me that is another level of friendship, I only have friends, and best friends. Anyone has the potential to be a best friend but it takes as stated above, trust, honesty, and lots of time to build to that level.

J.  
• I dont think its possible to be a best friend without being close, so therefore, they are one and the same.

K.  
• to me I think you can have a close friend and a best friend but they're not really the same thing. a best friend should be someone you're close to but you may have people you trust as friends but may not be a best friend. someone you go to when you're hurting or someone you just feel close to.

L.  
• They might be one and the same, a close friend deals more with emotions rather then somone to go out back and go punch for punch with

M.  
• Close friend vs. best friend. I think that they could be one and the same. It depends. If you have many or even a few close friends would you really have a best friend. Maybe. But, each of the close friends would or could be considered to be a best friend so you may have several best friends. Again I feel that if there is one person you feel a closeness with and could talk or discuss anything with and share your most personal feelings and thoughts with they could be a best friend.

N.  
• close friend is someone you dont see too often but when you do its quality time

O.  
• N/A, best friends don’t exist :p

P.  
• . To me they just seem like words for pretty much the same thing. I think it’d just be the individual person who might put a difference between the two. For me though I guess best would be a higher friend since they’re best, I suppose ;).

Q.  
• You only ever have a hand full of true friends around you at any given timein your life.

5. Do friends just "happen"?

A.  
• Not much in life just "happens" despite how much people say it does. Acquaintances occur as part of daily life, business contacts, work "friends" but true friends requires the development over time of the meshing of personalities. "The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one. " --Ralph Waldo Emerson

C.  
• Yeah, on some occasions. It might be the first time talking to someone, but at the end of the conversation, if you feel the need or want to talk to them again to tell them whatever you want to talk about, then they can be considered a friend.

D.  
• Yeah most of the time

F.  
• yes sometimes they do

G.  
• Undisputadely.

H.  
• No. Mutual interest in each other, or a genuine care must exist.

I.  
• I have built friendships that moved very fast, but never a friendship that I would consider to be a "best friend".

J.  
• Friends can just happen, but best friends take a lot of work and time (on both sides) to develop enough trust between you and the friend to become a best friend.

K.  
• lol...you know my first reaction to this question was yes but then again, maybe not. a lot of my friends kind of believe in destiny and it got me thinking a little. maybe you meet the people you meet when you're suppose to.

L.  
• Yup.

M.  
• As we go through experiences in life we develop associations with people. Some positive and some negative, some long lasting some short term. The experiences we have with these people draw us closer or turn us away. The feelings of the association with people influence our thoughts of how we feel and to some we are drawn closer to. Is it the stars lining up out in the cosmos??? I don't think so, but there is a connection and feelings are present and we recognize or at least feel we could be close to a person. We may even develop this association into a desire to be together in a friendship because it makes us feel good to be with this person or persons.

N.  
• you make friendships work. sometimes they just happen

O.  
• Yes. What doesn’t just “happen” is progression/regression of closeness… that happens for very specific reasons.

P.  
• Sometimes, but not often for me :P

Q.  
• Yes and no. You often have to make the effort to meet people or intiate something. But after that it either happens or it doesn't.

6. What does it take to make it work, if anything?

A.  
• An open mind and compatible behavior. If it takes something to make it work, then you are trying too hard. What is a friend? A single soul in two bodies. --Aristotle

C.  
• I believe friendships are completely random. You might be friends with someone that has similar interests as you, but at the same time you could absolutely hate someone with similar interests. There is no 'handbook' or 'instruction manual' for a friendship.

D.  
• Do something to hurt the person that you can't forgive or it doesn't work out. Also if you never talk to the person

F.  
• it takes compromise and understand and you definitely have to have some love in there

G.  
• You could write a thesis on this question but suffice it to say - you get out of it what you put into it.

H.  
• Nothing. Friendship should not have any form of maintainence at all. You can pick it up where you left off, even years down the road. That is a true friend.

I.  
• It takes time, patience, understanding, and compassion. You have to care enough to want to make it work.

J.  
• It takes very little to make a relationship with a friend work, far more to make a relationship with a best friend work. More so with the significant other in your life. With a friend you can make it work just by sharing interests with them from time to time. With a best friend you have to maintain that very high level of trust I mentioned above. You also need to spend time with the best friend and let them know you care. With a significant other......well I dont think I have enough room to go over that. :)

K.  
• friendships aren't meant to have to be worked on. that's what makes them friendships...well, maybe talking to them but that would be about it

L.  
• Being open minded, and time

M.  
• It has to be a two way street meaning that both people need to feel a connection and desire to be close and happy. I think that trust and a form of our love must be prevalent. We must overlook the faults or negative aspects of the other person and focus on the positive. We must be able to keep trusts actively engaged and confidences shielded. There must be a sense of peace and safety present for both individuals. Secrets are bad, but are also a good indicator as to the trust element of the friendship.

N.  
• understanding, effort

O.  
• Progression or maintenance of closeness (which often results from something as simple as a shared laugh or even just a friendly “hello, how was your day?”)

P.  
• Time and being honest and whatnot and wanting it to work. If someone doesn’t really care about a friendship then most likely that relationship will fall apart unless the other person really really cares the relationship.

Q.  
• Something intangible. But often, a common outlook on certain aspects of life.

7. What makes friendships go bad or end?

A.  
• Distance and time, or the lack of a solid foundation in the first place. "Friends come and friends go, but enemies accumulate"

C.  
• In most cases, betrayal. But there is also the 'lack of interest' factor.

D.  
• If you have alot of intrests that are the same or you have alot of fun when you do talk or hang out.

F.  
• sometimes people just change and move in different directions.. sometimes they have a severe clash of personalities and decide that it would be best if they both just moved on... a break of trust if they do something that is what you would consider taboo (I.e. sleeping with g/f of yours )

G.  
• I would strongly assume the majority are ended via jealousy, dishonesty, and contempt.

H.  
• Friendships end if the friendship was not deep enough or was not built upon stable foundation.

I.  
• For me it has always been a break in trust. Small disagreements can be patched up, but if someone has done something to not only hurt me, or lose that trust we built up, then it will end. I also have seen many friendships end over misunderstandings.

J.  
• For me, a person has to not care at all and sometimes even work at making a friendship go bad. Just about anything can be forgiven for a friend, the better friend the more that can be forgiven. Breaking trust is about the only unforgiveable act I can think of right now.

K.  
• saying things you don't really mean. especially if you're mad at the person. that's what really makes the friends stop talking to you

L.  
• Change in lifestyle, betrail, Lack of comeplete honesty

M.  
• Friendships end because of lots of reasons. One, Lack of trust or hurt or pain from things said or done. Two, personal feelings change, directions change, interests change. When this occurs friends may go different directions and draw apart. Three, Lack of communication and ability to express feelings openly. Four, it takes a lot to keep a friendship alive and functional sometimes we grow tired of keeping it going. Five, negative attitudes or other ways we tend to get under each others skin if we have an undertone of any kind it is hard to keep a friendship going. Six, There are givers and takers in relationships if the person always giving gets tired of this a change is needed and a friendship is lost.

N.  
• misplaced trustRegression of closeness. Once you feel uncomfortable sharing moments with someone for whatever reason (betrayal, indifference, apathy etc), what’s the point in spending time with someone?

O.  
• saying things you don't really mean. especially if you're mad at the person. that's what really makes the friends stop talking to you

P.  
• Lies and betrayal. One party spitting on the honor and trust shown from the other party can do it too. Sometimes they just kinda go away without malice, just kinda fade out.

Q.  
• End - time and space. Everything is changing around you. Bad - someone probally misjudged the other person and didn't really know who they were.

8. What makes you want them to work?

A.  
• The need for companionship, to feel like you fit in somewhere and to justify your own behavior or rationale. "Friends are born, not made." --Henry Adams

C.  
• That depends on the friend. If it is a long time friend, it might be the memories you had or the commitment. A short time friend might be more of a physical or mental attraction.

D.  
• If you have alot of intrests that are the same or you have alot of fun when you do talk or hang out.

F.  
• when I want something to work in a friendship it's usually because I want them around.. because I enjoy their company. or because it is someone you care for and want them to be happy and If I can make them smile it brings a little joy to their life and mine

G.  
• Case specific. Sometimes one would do anything, other times you'd just as soon drop them and move on.

H.  
• I don't believe friendships need any form of "work" at all for them to work. They simply do.

I.  
• It all depends on the level of friendship. If it is someone I haven't put all my heart in to, it might be easier to just let it go, sometimes friendships end. It's all a part of growing up and learning. But if it is someone I truly care about then I will try my best to find a way to come to an understanding and work things out.

J.  
• For me I want all my friendships to work, since I have so few of them. But sometimes its just not worth it, especially if the other person shows no interest and just doesnt care enough. Its all basically a balance that you have to decide for yourself based on any number of variables. All people need at least some companionship. No companionship at all would make even the worst hermit insane over time.

K.  
• knowing that when you're with your friends, that almost all your cares of the world seem so far away. having someone to turn to when you need help is also a nice feature of friends. feature...lol. I sound like they're computers or something.

L.  
• The want to be with somone, on any level. For some resources

M.  
• Lots of reasons. Need to be loved, consideration, happiness, needed, wanted, connection, and most of all I believe that no one really wants to be alone all of the time. Sometime yes. All the time no way. There is also an attachment of love and consideration that helps us want to keep a friendship if we can.

N.  
• how good the friendship was

O.  
• Good question.

P.  
• If I care about the other person or enjoy their company or if I figure they’ll be an important contact in the future (but then they’d become more of an associate ;P ).

Q.  
• If I see something there that I've not seen in anyone else.

9. Do you feel you need friends?

A.  
• Need? No. But it is nice to have people to share things with. "Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival. " --C. S. Lewis

C.  
• Definately. Everyone needs someone they can turn to if they need someone to talk to. Whether it's an in depth conversation to get everything out, or just for the comfort of knowing someone wants to listen.

D.  
• yes

F.  
• yes... friends are essential to life. what is the point of being here if there is no one that you can teach and learn from.. I can see none

G.  
• Heh, it's why I'm still alive. (yes)

H.  
• I love my friends. Would I live without them? No, if that's what this question means.

I.  
• People are social creatures; it's in our nature to want to be with other people. I do have a need to be around others, and I think life would be a lot harder, or almost imposable without the best friends/friends I have had in my life. I have learned too much from the good and bad experiences that have come along with them to ever think it wouldn't be worth it to have them.

J.  
• I very much need my friends. I dont think I could keep myself wanting to live without them.

K.  
• yes. I believe people need friends to survive. without them, people just slowly die inside. either that or turn into one of those crazy cat people that live alone...hehe. *steals that from a friend*

L.  
• Not really, I try and be indepenant.

M.  
• Yes, my wife is my greatest friend!! I also have other friends that are very important to me. I would consider you Jaysen one of my best friends. This has occurred over many years and we don't see everything the same, but we allow for that in our friendship and that¹s good.

N.  
• everybody needs friends

O.  
• I used to think I didn’t… and I’m much happier as a whole now that I’ve matured into needing my friends. I’m still learning how to deal with that.

P.  
• They help. My future job will be a lot easier if I’m working for friends :D

Q.  
• Yes. Otherwise I couldn't share and everything would be for nothing.

10. What are your fondest memories of/with your friends?

A.  
• There are too many fond memories to label any as the fondest. I would never demean my other memories of my friends by calling one the most fond.

C.  
• Just having them. I don't need to have specific memories of certain days or events. Friends should be there, always and regardless.

D.  
• Of the times when we had alot of fun or when something happens that you have a serious talk or need to make up

F.  
• fondest memories... just hanging out laughing one of my favorites a friend of mine and I got all dressed up formal like and went miniature golfing... sometimes it's just having a video game to share and play together. It’s the small things that I remember the most. One of my other fond memories jayson is you flipping me over your leg I love it when you do that it makes me laugh and you seem to enjoy also

G.  
• Another essay question... but sure.
  A) Brian taking me out to dinner virtually every night when I was broken hearted and broke financially. I owe him... more than I can repay in this life.
  B) All the trips to La Scala with Matt, Sean, Jim, and Dan. Those are probably the best.
  C) Marching band with Sean and Matt, and being in the champion drumline.
  D) Playing Starcraft in Eric's gameroom all day and all night, pissing off his parents to absolutely no end.
  E) Driving to Fry's Electronics in Freemont with Eric in the RX-7, averaging 140 mph.

H.  
• Any time where we've all just relaxed on a couch, or sat around a fire, or laid in bed and simply talked about life.

I.  
• The way they make me feel when I can see that they are worried, or concerned about me. That love and warmth they have given me in all the hard times I have had in life. Knowing someone cares and being able to see it is probably the best feeling in the world.

J.  
• Fond memories of friends..........pretty much every second spent with them, good or ill.

K.  
• my fondest memory was when I got to stay with on for a week in California. hehe. it was probably my first time there longer then a couple days. for a week straight, I didn't worry about one single problem I had and seeing a friend I hadn't really seen for probably half a year, if not longer. it was a lot better then I probably showed. :-S hehe. had a lot of fun. that's my most recent fondest memory of friends.

L.  
• Each friend is different, but in groups. Road trips.

M.  
• As a teenager I remember sleeping outside almost every summer night in time when life was fun and exciting. I had great friends then. I have gone camping, hunting and fishing with friends. Talking way into the night about almost anything and feeling so alive from those times.

N.  
• noyb

O.  
• I have too many fond memories of all my friends, there’s no way I could answer this question without listing all my friends and writing a page for each :p

P.  
• Sitting around watching every episode of friends while playing Dark Age and drinking massive amounts of soda with Cam. Anytime I just hang out with my better friends (best/close/whatever ;) ) is a good time for me. Panda express with Kara and Mike and...Mike’s friend was lots of fun: D

Q.  
• Just the simple moments. Sitting in the park just talking in the afternoon sun or in the dead of night.

11. What are the things that count the most in a friendship?

A.  
• Acceptance.

C.  
• Being able to talk to each other. Whether it's chit-chat or delving into massive conversations, that is what makes a friend, being able to talk.

D.  
• Honesty

F.  
• the things that count most ... laughing being there when someone needs a shoulder to cry on or just to vent. One thing that means a lot to me is that if I need time to myself my friends understand that and don't get upset at me for it.

G.  
• Another thesis question. Hugs is definitely up there on the list, though.

H.  
• Communication

I.  
• Trust and honesty, and compassion!

J.  
• Honesty, Trust, Caring, and Forgiveness.

K.  
• honesty and non-judgemental

L.  
• Not to kick you when your down, be there any time of the day.

M.  
• Trust and Love/closeness Looking past the faults or weaknesses of the other

N.  
• loyalty, companionship, trust

O.  
• It varies from friend to friend… What kind of friend do you consider them? How close are you to them? What aspects are you the closest with them? There are things that matter more to me in some friendships, but are irrelevant in other friendships. This doesn’t cheapen either friendship, it just means they’re different.

P.  
• Trust, honesty, respect, bringing something to the friendship.

Q.  
• Loyalty, Truth and Understanding.

12. If you no longer talk to an old friend, does it mean you no longer care?

A.  
• What does it mean to care? Your friend has made new friends; you can still care but no longer feel like talking. Though our communication wanes at times of absence, I'm aware of a strength that emanates in the background. --Claudette Renner

C.  
• That depends on the meaning of 'care'? There might be a lack of interest, or there might be a feeling of rejection because isn't friendship a 2-way road? maybe that person hasn't shown any interest in contacting you..

D.  
• No

F.  
• no I no longer talk to some of my old friends they moved in a different direction in life of what ever and I still care and I still want to know that they are ok and I still love them

G.  
• Case specific. People lose touch, it's just a part of life and moving. There are a couple of people I don't talk to anymore simply because I know if I do I'll just get screwed again.

H.  
• Definitely not. There are many people I care about and even love that I haven't talked to for a very long time.

I.  
• Not at all, I think about old friends that I had and always wish them the best and hope they are ok.

J.  
• I have quite a few friends I dont talk to for months and months at a time. I think if you just stop from time to time to talk to them or just leave a little note, that goes a long ways. Lets them know you still think of them and that you care. As stated above, it will probably not be enough for a best friend, but enough to keep a friend.

K.  
• nope. just because you may not be talking to them, doesn't mean you don't care. just mean that you're gradually growing apart.

L.  
• No, sometimes things get in the way. If they were really your friend you could go back 30 years later and have a beer with them

M.  
• No, there are many people and friends that you just can't keep up with. Life is busy foe everyone. Friendships are long lasting and when I see someone I consider to be a friend from my past it brings great joy and happiness to me and I remember those good times we had.

N.  
• no it just means that youve lost contact because the prick decides not to email you and leave you in a state of wonder because you dont know if youll ever talk to them again

O.  
• Nope, not under any circumstances. If there was a genuine “caring,” that will never go away regardless of circumstances. How a person deals with caring changes though.. (for example, say a friend hurts you… because that friend meant something to you, and because you care, the hurt will be intensified. More intense hurt leads to silence, but the care remains. The silence is a by-product of the caring)

P.  
• If the friendship just kinda faded away then I suppose if I saw them again I’d care. For the set that I have in my mind that did end in malice well then they can burn in hell, so I guess I care about them also, just in a bad way ;)

Q.  
• No. I don't make friends all that easily, as I don't let many people in but those that I do become part of me and not matter what happens, I'll always think of them. Listen to the beatles song " In my life". Sums it up somewhat.

13. What kinds of things would/do you do for a friend and what would/do you do for a best friend if there is a difference?

A.  
• Accept them.

C.  
• This one is debateable, every 'friend' is at a different level, so what I might do for one friend isn't necessarily what I'll do for every friend.

D.  
• I would help them out whenever theyneed it, or lend them a sholder to cry on or an ear to talk to. And be there for them when they need it.

F.  
• there's not a lot of differences between how I treat friends and best friends the differences mainly are in what I share with those people... I usually trust best friends far more than just friends.

G.  
• Case specific - this usually involves how far I'd drive to see them, how much money i'd spend for their company, and if I'd die for them or not. This ranges from 3 blocks to accross the country / $5.00 up to $1,000, and yes or no.

H.  
• For a best friend, I would go out of my way to help them, even if that is an inconvienience to me

I.  
• I won't go that extra mile for just a friend, that I would a best friend. As I said I would help a friend as best I can, but when it comes to a best friend there isn't anything I wouldn't do to help them!

J.  
• With a friend I would do what I can to help, up to a point. With a best friend I wuld go out of my way to do what I can to help. For a best friend I would do anything in my power.

K.  
• for me personally, I would do almost anything for a friend. it wouldn't matter if they were a friend or a best friend. if it was in my power to do it anyways. sometimes I wish I could do more for friends but as long as you give it your best that's all that matters.

L.  
• Anything asked of me, within the law.

M.  
• There is a difference in the level of friendship and those things I would do for my friends and a best friend will vary. I have walked to hell with one of my best friends but I had to leave him there because he chose that place over me! I would do a lot of things for someone I call friend, and would probably do more for someone I call best friend. Most of all I wish I could take the pain of a friend away, but I cannot most of the time because of the way life is.

N.  
• there are limits to what id do for a friend

O.  
• I try to give them the amount of thought and effort that I expect in return, but it doesn't always work out. I would do anything that I was comfortable and capable of doing if asked, unless I honestly felt it would result in a negative outcome (I guess that would mean I wasn't comfortable doing it :p)

P.  
• I’d do a hell of a lot more for a best friend than I would for a friend (other people who already replied gave good examples and I can’t think of any for myself)

Q.  
• No difference. A friend is not "just" a friend. I'll do what I can for a friend, I'll often do nothing for those who are not friends.

14. Do you love your friends, best friend? Where does love fit into the equation, does it?

A.  
• What is love? What does it mean to love? It is an intangible; an idea created to try to explain something not easily understood. So it is not classifiable either. There is no equation for friendship, but the only thing I truly think friends, real friends, share is acceptance of each other. If friends do not accept each others actions or words then they will not be friends. Acceptance is the answer that you seek. It is the solution to your conundrum. It is what you need to make good friendships

C.  
• Love is a completely different topic, with it's own multiple meanings. Every friend has a trait that you love, in a sense. Sort of like loving ice cream, or chocolate, or loving your pet.. Once you have complete 'love' for someone, they are beyond 'friend' status.

D.  
• I like my friends and i love my best friends. I love my best friends because ive been through life or alot with them...ive grown up with them or have come to know them very well

F.  
• love is good.... especially for friends... it's always good to love the person for who they are... doesn't mean that you have to be in love with them just that you love them but that's another email

G.  
• Case specific. I love all the guys in CA, my girlfriend (which I think is a kind of friendship), and that's about it.

H.  
• Yes I love my friends and best friends. I don't have many levels of distinction between my "best friend" and friends. I love them equally and consider them all my close friends. I try not to use the term "best" friend, because I don't want to place any friend higher than another.

I.  
• Where does love fit into the equation, does it? I love all my friends to some degree, but love and in love are 2 different things. Of course even if it isn't said I am sure all people love there friends and best friends. Even if we don't say it, we show it in our actions and how we treat them.

J.  
• I believe love goes hand in hand with trust, so yes, love is involved with both friends and best friends. It is a different kind of love from the love you feel and show towards someone you could spend the rest of your life with.

K.  
• for me, I believe there are different levels of love. yes, I love my friends but not like how I feel about my mom or another family member.

L.  
• I would say I love my friends.

M.  
• Yes!!! Love does fit in because a level of trust and association with another person is developed and the emotion that ties to it is love. There are different levels of love and consideration we give to others and others give to us, they are varying degrees of love and concern for those we associate with and call friends. I think that is why all relationships of any kind hurt when there is a letdown, or breakup.

N.  
• i love some of my friends but its a different love for my best friends.

O.  
• Love is a funny thing.

P.  
• Hm, I don’t really know what love is since it’s been turned around a bunch on me so, I’ll go with no I don’t love my friends. I do care for my best/close friends greatly though.

Q.  
• I love my friends. The ones that understand me and vice versa and I know I can count on them in any situation and I know I won't hesitate to do something for them if they need it. With my female friends, I'll admit there is often some sexual tension, either one way or two. But I love them in the same way I do any of my friends.

15. Are you better off alone?

A.  
• Without friends? No. Acceptance is something you will always seek. Without a "lover"? It depends on how you spend your time, what you need in your life right now. "Thus nature has no love for solitude, and always leans, as it were, on some support; and the sweetest support is found in the most intimate friendship." --Cicero

C.  
• Absolutely not. Eveyone should be able to stand up by themselves, but what is the point in accomplishing anything, if you don't have anyone to share it with?

D.  
• Nobody is better off alone!

F.  
• sometimes I wonder if being alone would be better but I just can't imagine a life like that "And if rain brings winds of change let it rain on us forever. I have no doubt from what I've seen that I have never wanted more."

G.  
• Nobody is better off alone. It's been proven if you isolate someone long enough from other people, they go crazy.

H.  
• One should NEVER be alone.

I.  
• Not at all!

J.  
• Not at all, as I said before, life would be very dull and in most cases not even worth living.

K.  
• nope. sometimes it's good to be alone but you're never better off alone.

L.  
• You arnt better off, but sometimes you come out stronger after being alone

M.  
• NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

N.  
• no like i said everybody needs friends

O.  
• Sometimes, yes. Other times, no, definitely not. I’ve only ever really not felt alone once or twice in my life and it got me nothing but a lot of pain… so I’m still waiting to see if not being alone is worth it in any sense; I’m also apprehensive to allow myself to not be alone. Perhaps a little overdramatic, but it basically sums up how I am.

P.  
• Sometimes, but I tend to be alone a lot anyways so not like it’d matter if I said no/yes, not up to me most of the time.

Q.  
• Only if you don't know yourself. You can only give all of yourself to otheres when you completely know yourself.

Emergency Theory (7:14:56 AM): Friends huh? Well I suppose its like this. Everyone wants to be liked, to know atleast someone cares for them. Then again, alot of people don't like confrontations, or complications. So as long as the road is clear and straight, people are all for it. But if someone throws a curve in there somewhere, it all goes downhill. As far as the difference between a best friend, and a friend. I consider a friend someone who I get along with, and enjoy being around. A best friend is someone who I confide in, and seek guidance and help from. A best friend, I think, is someone who you could see everyday, and not get tired of. I just like best friends share a tigher, closer bond, than that of just friends.

Auto response from Kasynia (7:14:57 AM): Anime ftw~

Emergency Theory (7:19:43 AM): A close friend, I would say thats right under best friend, extremely close to the same thing, but not exactly. I don't think its something you can form into words, but when have close friends and such, you just know. I think everyone needs friends, so that you're not alone. Being alone is good at times, but to be alone all the time is inhumane. I do think friends just happen, its kind of a chemistry thing. You see people that are approachable to you, and you start talking to them. Something attracted you to that person, not sexual attraction, but another kind. Again its something thats hard to put into words. Above all, I think honesty is what makes or breaks a friendship. I, myself, cannot stand dishonest people. I do care for my friends, I wouldn't go as far to say that I love them. Love is a strong word, right up there with Hate. I do care a great deal about my friends, but love is a word I reserve for significant others. Things I would do for just a friend, lets see just hang out, and do things together. Best friends, I talk with them, I'd lend them money, let them stay in my apartment if they needed. I guess I'm willing to put myself on the line for a best friend.

I dont answer things like this, I never really have. But friendship is how you make it and how the other friend makes it. You can have close friends and and best friends, people have different definitions for both. And if you dont see a friend for a long time doesnt mean you dont care or they dont care, you just might both be busy in your lives. There are different leveles of friendship to and again it is up to the person how many there are and how you feel as a person. Sometimes friendship just happens sometimes it takes awhile to see that you can get along w/someone. And everyone should love their friends and respect them, but we know that doesnt always happen and things can get bad, but all we can do is learn from this experince and move up with our lives. Well this was my little way of answering those questions I hope it helps! ^_^

I have found in my life a few things about friends. I don't have many infact I could count them on both hands. But that is because of how and what I feel a friend is. The friends I have are and have been my friends for my life and will remain my friends for the rest of my life. they are people that I have had a bond with. People that I care for and love. I think a friend is someone when you can support them in everything they do, right or wrong. you don't have to agree or approve of it, but you support them. A friendship is a relationship, you have to acknowledge that your friend is not perfect and they you. in a friendship you love them like your kin. at least for me anyways, don't get me wrong I have alot of people I care for and like and hang out with, but not on that level.

Gedare

Chris

Jaysen

Sascha

Mandy

Amanda (Sorry this has taken so long to respond to I've been thinking about it ...)

Josh Dyck

Omnirune

Melissa

Brett

Josh Johnson

Zack

Craig

Sandy

Anonymous

Brian Eakle

Kerry Low

Seth from MySpace

D, E, F, M, & N Are responses from people Jaysen sent out to with these questions. It looks like it turned into a chain letter! Anyway, these are two of the responses that he has gotten that weren't personalized.

Jaysen's email to his contacts:

A friend of mine (under my definition of a friend) is trying to figure out what
people think the meaning of a 'friend' is. When I was answering the questions,
it really makes you think about it.. So I'm curious as to how all of you
define friendship. If I don't get a response.. then I'll assume what your
thought on friendship towards me is.

Then there were the questions.

If you wish to do the same, please put in a note to have the emails forwarded to me, or please do so yourself if you get any responses. Kasynia@hotmail.com or Aviendha16@hotmail.com (more room in this one).

CHECK! After I get 5 responses to this topic, I will post them here, no names if you wish to be anonymous. CHECK!

I will wait until I get a few responses so there is nothing to effect others' responses, so we get a more general idea, first thought responses.

After that, I hope to get more responses. Even responses to the things I will post here that others have said.

Go ahead, feel free to argue points, ideas, etc and to expand on them.

Don't forget favorite quotes, songs, sayings, experiences, stories, ideas, thoughts, etc.

Feel free to give me more questions to add, too.

THANK YOU!

Email   AIM