MAN-Day Mondays: On best friends

The following post comes from chatlogs between a male friend and I, and I have obtained permission to use them. I suppose we're touching on the topic of best friends. Just, friends, and best friends. As usual, chatlog friend remains anonymous. :D



Him:

I'm not sure if theres an ideal best friend scenario where the relationship between the two parties is such that its just perfectly ideal.

It's hard pinning down that one best friend in your life - sometimes I think of myself as a friend to most, but a close friend to one person I'm not so sure. They say "Jack of all trades, master of none". It's two sides of the same coin, isn't it? In a friendship context you can be good/ok friends with most ppl you know, but still not have that one really close friend in ure life who you can share even the deepest things with.

Me:

I get what you mean. (: It's interesting to hear different people's opinions about best friends. For me, I dont want best friends. They are too much work, too much expectations.

Him:

But it's good having one. I wouldn't say its necessary or vital, but it works out to be good for both parties, it can be something mutually beneficial and you grow and do life together.

Compare that to a sea of friends: sure you all are friends, but it sort of stays like that - it doesn't go any deeper. That's not to say that the majority of those friendships are fruitless or stagnant because a lot of them do go on to be quite strong friendships. But the thing that separates those from a 'best friend' scenario is the ability to go that one step further.

There's just a catalyst for change and growth I guess.