Do You Choose Your Friends?
By josefina
@josie_ (10032)
Philippines
June 4, 2016 9:29pm CST
"When the character of someone is not clear to you, look at their friends" ~Unknown
Recently a good neighbor of ours had to go to a supermarket to bail out his son who was caught shop lifting. This caught me by surprise since I practically watch the boy grow up and always knew him as a good kid. I found out later it was some kind of an initiation for him to become a member of a high school fraternity.
There may be ulterior motives like peer pressure or finding it advantageous for ourselves, but generally we choose to be in the company of people whom we are comfortable with.
The saying "Show me your friends and I'll tell you who you are" is a truism. A person is known by the company he keeps. When we see a group of people we judge them as a whole and not just as individuals. Hang around drug addicts and people automatically think you're one.
You might consider someone a good friend because they have proven in their actions that they care for you. But remember we tend to imitate their habits, adopt their interest and embrace their moral values. Friends have great influence not only on our well being but they can also change who we become.
Do you choose your friends and what kind of standard do you set?
Photo Image: Pixabay
24 people like this
35 responses
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
5 Jun 16
I have many friends I have had for almost 65 years. I will be 74 in July and most of my friends I made when my family moved into a neighborhood when I was 9 years old. I grew up with these "kids" and are still very close with most of them.
Sure, we do not see each other as much as we would like as we are all spread out in different states but we all keep in touch with each other and try to get together at least once a year.
My daughter has followed in my footsteps too as she is 48 years old and has friends since she started school when she was 5 years old.
I am now making new friends as we have recently moved into an adult, active community so I can't wait to meet my new friends.
Good friends are precious.
2 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
6 Jun 16
@josie_ Thank you for your kind words. I am lucky to have all of them in my life and the great thing is we still all act like kids when we get together. We have no idea that we are as old as we are and most of us don't look it. Actually, the men look older than the females.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
6 Jun 16
@ramapo17 _ Good friends are indeed precious and we would like to maintain our connection with them. Technology today has made it convenient for us to communicate with them when changing circumstances in our lives requires us to move to another place. I'm sure you won't have any difficulty meeting new "kids" in your new neighborhood. Judging by how long you are able to keep a friendship, they're lucky to have you for a friend.
Judging by how long you are able to keep a friendship, they're lucky to have you for a friend.1 person likes this
@kaylachan (72456)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Jun 16
I would like to think, I chose who I wish to be friends with. When it comes to people I tend to be guarded so for me to make friends isn't an easy task. It can take a long time for me to make friends, depending on the situation.
2 people like this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
5 Jun 16
@kaylachan _ It's more about being wary of giving or sharing our confidence with others. The degree of openness we are willing to risk for the sake of friendship.
@transcendent (709)
• Xian, China
5 Jun 16
You are so careful about making friend, I think I should learn something from you.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
6 Jun 16
@josie_yes indeed even if just for a c up of coffee
2 people like this
@carebear29 (31971)
• Wausau, Wisconsin
5 Jun 16
I just watch what I say and observe how they are
2 people like this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
5 Jun 16
@carebear29 _ As the saying goes "Action speaks louder than words."
2 people like this
@abhinalstrikr (4111)
• India
2 Sep 16
i like the option is he/she of my kind and i am a kind of hardworking ,belief in simple way of acting proving in to excellence and many more......
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
3 Sep 16
@abhinalstrikr _We're more comfortable with people who share our beliefs and have similar interests.
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
6 Jun 16
I am VERY picky about who I become friends with. I understand the importance of having the right kind people around you and I certainly don't want to influenced by the "wrong crowd".
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
6 Jun 16
@missjessicadawn _ It's so tempting to be part of the "in-crowd" but sometimes it will turn up to be the "wrong crowd".
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
19 Jun 16
I believe that we are influenced by the five persons with spend the most time with. Might not be our friends but most likely they are.
I tend to be the lone wolf so 'peer pressure' hardly matters to me. I can see it in others though. People want acceptance that they forget who they truly are.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
19 Jun 16
@allen0187 _ No one likes to be the "odd man out",shun't by the majority. We find comfort in numbers. Some would go to great lengths to become accepted by their peers even if it means going against their own principles and belief.
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
9 Jun 16
I choose my friends and girlfriends.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
9 Jun 16
@antonbunot _ Do you take more time choosing your girl friends than your friends?
@ms1864 (6885)
• Bangalore, India
17 Aug 16
Good post.
I think my process of choosing friends has evolved over time. You are right in saying that they influence us...because I remember ...when I was in school...from 4th to 8th grade...I had a variety of "bad company". Back then I was so desperate for friends that I chose to be one of them.
Then I faced problems and thankx to my lucky stars...my group of friends changed...and so did I. And with every new group that I met in life...for college, work.. i feel my choice get better.
1 person likes this
@shubham381 (6)
• Chennai, India
13 Aug 16
I don't really share the view of a person resembling his or her company. There are numerous examples of the contradiction to this statement. a person is what he or she is and that's what defines them.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
13 Aug 16
@shubham381_In our life, we have been at one time student or mentor to others. What defines us is the ideas and beliefs that we acquire through our human interactions. Generally, we gravitate to those who share similar thoughts, likes and dislikes that we have.
1 person likes this
