What Makes a Good Friend?
There are good, bad, and friends that are neither good nor bad. If you want to find out what a good friend really is and what makes a good friend, keep reading below.
What’s a Good Friend?
If you ask someone what a good friend looks like, everyone is going to have a different answer based on what they need in their friendships. However, what most people’s answers will have in common is that a good friend is someone who is there for you unconditionally, no matter what, who doesn’t judge you, and who will do anything for you.
Can Anyone Be a Good Friend?
Unfortunately, not everyone can be a good friend. Usually, for someone to be a good friend, there has to be some sort of connection or chemistry between the two of you. It’s similar to dating, where you feel a certain connection or chemistry with someone, but in a friendly way. If there is no “click,” it’s very difficult for that person to truly be a good friend.
What Makes a Good Friend?
You may have dozens of friends and wonder who the real good ones are. The following qualities make a good friend.
He’s always there for you.
If he’s a good friend, he’ll always be there for you no matter what. Whether you’re far away or it’s not the most practical time of day, if you’re going through something and need his support or someone to vent to, he’ll be there.
This could mean he’s there in person, on the phone, or replying to your texts as soon as you send them. Regardless of how he’s doing it, depending on what’s going on in his life, he’s always there in one way or another.
He gives sincere advice, even if it hurts.
He will be honest with you no matter what. Sometimes you may not want to hear what he says, and you might even get upset with him or ignore his advice, but he’ll give you the guidance you need to hear.
His advice might sometimes hurt your feelings, but he’s always honest because he cares about you and knows what’s best for you, even when you can’t see it for yourself.
He wants the best for you.
He wants only the best for you, so you might feel like he’s a little hard on you sometimes and has high expectations for others you bring into your life. It might feel like he’s judging that new guy you really like, but in reality, he just wants to make sure he’s a good person for you and doesn’t want to see you getting hurt. He has your best interest at heart, and wants the best for you in all aspects of life.
He doesn’t forget about you.
No matter what’s going on in his life, he’s never going to forget about you. Sometimes, when we have new things going on, we get caught up and forget about those closest to us. For example, if you have a new job, you’re likely to be consumed by getting settled in or making new friends, and you might have less time for the people you once did.
The same thing could happen when someone is in a new relationship and giving all of their attention to that person. However, a really good friend won’t forget about you, no matter how many new things they have going on in their life.
He prioritizes you.
You might not be his top priority because he could have a lot of important things going on in his life, but you’re definitely someone he prioritizes. If he’s a good friend, he’ll make sure that he talks to you, spends time with you when he can, and gives you the attention you need.
He listens to you.
Good friends are also good listeners. Even if you’re talking about something that he may not be interested in, he will still listen to you attentively. He will listen for as long as it takes to understand your perspective so that he can provide you with helpful advice.
He doesn’t hold a grudge.
A good friend will never hold a grudge. You can have all sorts of disagreements and misunderstandings, but they will always be willing to talk about what happened and try to find a solution instead of holding a grudge.
They know that holding a grudge isn’t going to make either of you feel better, so they choose to put it behind them, forgive you, or ask for forgiveness and move on so you can focus on the positive parts of your friendship and get back to being your normal selves.
He asks you to hang out.
A good friend makes an effort to see you. Some friendships are more one-sided, with one person always trying to see the other person or always being the one to initiate hanging out. However, a good friend asks you to hang out just as much as you ask them to hang out, and if sometimes they have to ask more than you do, they don’t get mad at you.
They understand that sometimes they’ll need to ask you more, and they know you understand if at times you need to ask more. Regardless, it’s still mutual because you still take turns, so it’s not one person putting in more effort than the other.
He remembers little things.
If you’ve told him something about yourself, he remembers, because he really cares about you. He remembers your likes and dislikes, important dates like your birthday, and other small details that, even if they seem like they’re not very important to you, he knows they are.
He is reliable.
A good friend can be many things, but overall, a good friend is reliable. He’s someone you know you can count on, no matter what time of day it is. Even if he’s really busy, he’ll do his best to be there for you if you’re going through something. You can count on him for anything; you know he’ll always be around to help you with whatever you need.
You know you can trust him.
A good friend is someone you can trust with anything. As bad as it may seem, you know you can trust him to keep your secret and talk to him about what’s happening. Whatever it is, you can tell him no matter what.
How to Be a Good Friend
Below you’ll find the necessary qualities to be a good friend:
1. Make sure you’re always there for the other person.
To be a good friend, it’s important to always be there for the other person, no matter how busy or tired you are or what else is going on in your life. Supporting them may look different in each situation, but what matters is that you find a way to help and be there for them, no matter what.
2. Be a good listener, even when it gets hard.
Being a good listener can be challenging at times, but it is an important skill to develop if you want to be a good friend. It may take patience and practice, but becoming a good listener will help your friend feel supported when they need to talk about something, and they will appreciate you for it.
3. Don’t give up on them.
No matter what, don’t give up on your friends. Sometimes, they may be going through tough times, and being around them may not be enjoyable. But you must stick it out and be there for them because they need you.
If you feel frustrated with them, try to put yourself in their shoes and understand why they might be acting the way they are. This can help you continue to support them, even when it’s difficult.
4. Give good advice.
Good friends are known for giving great advice. When your friend comes to you for advice, take some time to think about what you want to say before you say it. Ensure that you only give advice that you truly mean or think will be helpful for them because they trust you and are likely to listen to your suggestions.
5. Forgive them.
Forgiveness is crucial in good friendships. It’s essential to forgive your friend when they make a mistake or accidentally hurts you. It’s important to remember that most mistakes are not made with bad intentions, so it’s necessary to be forgiving and understanding.
Good friends are rare to find, so when you come across someone who possesses the qualities of a good friend, hold on to them tightly and express your appreciation because they don’t come around very often.
Friends can come and go, even the good ones, so cherish the time you spend with them and keep an eye out for potential new friends who exhibit the qualities of a good friend, as they may be easy to miss.
