Erm... this is an interesting question for me in that for most of my life my loved ones, including MG, have worried that I don't have enough friends. My mother and older brother are world class extroverts. MG is concerned I'd turn into a hermit if widowed... unusual thought for him as he's definitely the optimist in the house and being American, he's better qualified for it. :D
I'm the sort of person who has an enormous number of acquaintances, many of whom I think consider us friends. And I've certainly had more than my fair share of the 'context specific' friends you mention, people who at the time I thought I would know for the rest of my life.
I think the differing POV of my acquaintances is based on the fact I'm a very reliable person, who knows how to keep a secret, is up for an adventure and is reasonably good company. Perhaps that's what most people are looking for in a friend?
I am, perhaps, too comfortable being alone. I have a lot of trust issues left over from childhood so it takes more to win my trust and loyalty but once earned it's practically indestructible and that's my definition of friendship. So, I have five people I would consider 'real' friends apart from MG - I've know one since birth (cousin) and another since we were four years old.
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I'm the sort of person who has an enormous number of acquaintances, many of whom I think consider us friends. And I've certainly had more than my fair share of the 'context specific' friends you mention, people who at the time I thought I would know for the rest of my life.
I think the differing POV of my acquaintances is based on the fact I'm a very reliable person, who knows how to keep a secret, is up for an adventure and is reasonably good company. Perhaps that's what most people are looking for in a friend?
I am, perhaps, too comfortable being alone. I have a lot of trust issues left over from childhood so it takes more to win my trust and loyalty but once earned it's practically indestructible and that's my definition of friendship. So, I have five people I would consider 'real' friends apart from MG - I've know one since birth (cousin) and another since we were four years old.