Band 80-90: INTERACTION AMONG PEOPLE: FRIENDSHIP

“A good friend is a connection to life, a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.” says Lois Wyne. The scientific connection between a mother and a baby is an umbilicial cord but the emotional thing that they are connected is “friendship” between them. To tell the truth, the interaction among people is necessity for human being. Wherever you go all around the world, this interaction will find you because as even animals have an interaction among one another, how could not people have an interaction? Hence, this interaction starts with ‘encountering a friend’. For instance, when even a kid starts a primary school, s/he looks forward to finding a friend inasmuch as s/he does not want to be lonely. Yet, every human has an outlook about “friendship”. This may vary from a person to the other person. Considering all of these aspects like honest, supportive, and enjoyful can be three fundamental features that are regarded as a true friend while choosing a friend.

First of all, honesty representing loyalty and trust in one’s character is one of the most outstanding characteristic features for a friendship that has strong bond for being a long-term relationship. It does not bring more friends, on the other hand, it always provides to get loyal and trustworthy friends. For one thing, having loyal friends makes you feel confident. Hence, they do not tend to leave you alone, in contrast, they are always with you under any circumstances. This can be illustrated by the fact that a friend who has some dreadful behaviours such as using drugs, smoking, gambling will absolutely influence on you tremendously. On one hand, you try to give him/her up from these behaviours instead of neglecting him/her. That is to say, loyal friends make you withhold to mess with wicked habits. Another point to consider is that a friend should be a person you can trust. This friend is someone you can conveniently share you daily feelings. If you have a friend, s/he mainly must be honest and also trustworthy person who does not twist the truths and loyal person who makes you feel safe.

Secondly, a compliment, a smile or even a shoulder to cry can make a world of difference for a friend who needs your support. For one thing, a friend needs to hear your encouraging words when struggling with stress-filled situations. For instance, your friend copes with tough tasks and s/he does not put up with them and decides to give up them. In the midst of all this, you had better turn into a cheerleader of him/her and you had better support him/her with strong sides of your positiveness. Hence, both of you are at each other’s back. Moreover, a friend can intuit his/her emotions and s/he had better be an active listener to make them real. You should show that you understand his/her concerns by validating his/her feelings with phrases such as ‘I see that you are suffering…’ Thus, your friend will realize that when s/he needs a back, you are always somewhere here.

Thirdly, if you color your life, nothing beats having an entertaining friend. While your life is getting tedious, a friend comes and pulls you out this life. That is an enjoyful friend. For instance, you are abandoned by your beloved man at the wedding table and you are so heartbroken. Even in this case, you need to back your friend to life. Another point to consider is that in my opinion having a funny friend is unique because making somebody laugh is a mountain to climb. This person must have a good sense of humour. Hence, if you need to smile or want to get rid of troubles, this has a cure. Furthermore, while you are hanging out together, you notice that you have some similar interests such as going to cinema, swimming and so on. This kind of activities make you closer. Thus, the more you spend time together, the more you enjoy. As is obvious that you should find an enjoyful friend to breathe your life into something.

All in all, Thomas Aquinas says “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” Yet, these three characteristics features of a friend, like honest, supportive and enjoyful, are of the most significant. The foremost of all is honesty that is a crucial step  while making a friend. Maintaining this honesty requires a mega effort to tell the truth and keep your word. You can rely on and be loyal to one another in order to have an honest relationship. Moreover, being a supportive friend also forms a basis of camaraderie. A friend had better motivate his/her friend under any situations. Importantly, a genuine supportive step is to listen. Sometimes only listening is the best healer and also sometimes  having an enjoyful friend gives a meaning to you. This person is your life and soul of the party. Every moment you spend and eveything you achieve together is worthwhile for you. If you feel as if you are in a desert island, you should find a genuine friend promptly since s/he will bring out the best in you.


by Rümeysa Aktaş 1st year ELT Student @Erciyes University