This is what true friendships are like, in 9 characteristics.

This is what characterizes solid friendships, based on true trust and honesty.

Most of us live surrounded by people constantly; the simple fact of being in a society leads us to interact with all kinds of people, so it is normal that from time to time the initiative to meet in our free time comes out of us. But... does the fact of meeting frequently turn that relationship into a true friendship?

It may sound strange that outside of work or academia, someone is constantly meeting with people they consider insignificant, but if we think about it for a moment, it's not so strange. At the end of the day, there are habits that create routines so pervasive in our daily lives that we don't question them. For example, the fact that we always go to one of the bars that are more or less the same distance from work, even though we cannot find a rational reason to explain it.

So, true friendships are something that we may not even have ever experiencedHow can we recognize them?

The characteristics of true friendships

Below you can find the main characteristics of strong and honest friendships.based on true affection.

1. They listen as much as they talk about themselves

True friends don't stay with us just to have someone listen to them talk about their lives. Explaining what is happening to us is a good way to sort out our thoughts and release stress, but this is not the goal of this type of personal relationship.

That is why, in practice, true friendships are those in which, as far as dialogue is concerned, they are based as much on giving as on receiving. One speaks about oneself when one feels like it, but one must also know how to listen and respect the moments when the other wants to explain his or her concerns. respect the moments when the other person wants to explain his or her concerns, worries, desires, ideas, etc., to the other person.concerns, worries, desires, ideas, etc. Moreover, when this happens, one does not change the subject at the slightest opportunity to talk about oneself again.

2. They are there to comfort you

The moments of greatest sadness are always are always more bearable if you have the possibility of counting on your friends.. One of the greatest benefits of friendship, in fact, is that those people who have been by our side for significant moments for us are the most suitable to accompany us in the emotional Pain of disappointment or grief.

3. They congratulate you when it's time to rejoice

True friends know to be there when there is reason to rejoice because of a success that has come that has come through our own merits. For example, if a good university has accepted us into it, or when we have won a sports award.

These situations are much sweeter if others share them with us and congratulate us on a success that has come through effort. It makes sense that the social recognition that comes with achievement is expressed more by those with more reason to rejoice.

4. They always have time to cultivate that friendship

As much as it is said that there are friends so important that they can even go a long time without seeing us and when they come back everything is the same as at the beginning, in the cases in which there is true friendship it takes very good excuses to let time pass without attempts to resume contact..

This is because the passing of months without dialogue is, in practice, a sign that the emotional bond is fading unless there are very specific reasons to talk to each other or to meet. Those who really have reasons to keep in touch do so naturally, without feeling forced to do so.

5. They are honest

Constructive criticism is also part of the routine of friendship that is worthwhile. If there is something in the way we behave that can clearly be improved, our friends tell us in a way that makes it clear where we can make further progress in correcting that mistake. However, this honesty is something that is part of the framework of your relationship, so true friends do not speak ill of us to our spouses. don't talk bad about us behind our backs..

6. They help you become a better person

True friends are people who inspire us, who invite us to improve. There are two reasons for this.

On the one hand, these friends are honest enough to tell us clearly what significant mistakes we make, so that we know that when one of these people calls our attention to something we have done, there is a real reason to rethink our attitude.

On the other hand, these friends have certain characteristics that we admire and, because we don't see them as idealized people, they are an example of what we could become, they are an example of what we could do..

7. They create with you a private language and humor

The complicity between those who share a true friendship is such that their daily life is full of veiled references to funny facts, anecdotes, shared beliefs, etc. Friends who have been friends for the longest time can create a vocabulary of their own that is difficult for others to understand..

8. They know how to keep secrets

It seems silly, but it is very important that friendships are contexts in which we feel safe so that we can express our secrets and concerns in them. we feel safe so that we can express our secrets and worries in them.. Whether or not this information passes into the hands of other people says a lot about the quality of this type of relationship, as it jeopardizes its stability.

9. There is at least one hobby in common

For a friendship to be worthwhile, it is necessary to share at least one hobby. This does not have to be a sport; talking about a certain topic, for example, can be considered an example of something that interests two people.