An acquaintance is a type of friend that either you know or knows you. How much you know the person is not a requirement— so having an acquaintance in which you do not know their name still counts. Being an acquaintance does not take a lot of commitment. Just being able to recognize and identify someone as a friend is all that is required.
I find that one has a lot of acquaintances. This is probably because you do not have to spend time with them, or take any personal interest in them. They can be a part of a larger group that you both are a part of such as a graduating class from school, or a co-worker in the office.
So often we say that we have a lot of friends. But, if you look at it closer— how many of those so called friends are just acquaintances. I have seen a lot of people who tend to collect friends like they do trophies. They are the ones who want to have friends so that they can claim to be popular. I have noticed that I know a lot of people— some of which may even question my motives for being their friend. I tend to make friends with those to whom I find a common interest, and not for prestige. I believe there is a sense of connection when we can claim someone as a friend. There is also a sense of pride when we find that someone can claim us as their friend as well.
I hate the sense of having an unrequited relationship. Those who collect friends tend to not recipricate back to those who have befriended them. I know that there probably are some people to whom I have befriended who do not return the favor of being a friend. I also tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, and give them the exuse that they are busy with their lives and do not have time to keep up with all of their friends. I just hope that those to whom I befriend understand the genuineness of my friendship and do not feel that I am just "collecting friends".
What about you… Do you find that you have a lot of aquaintences? Do you find people who collect friends in order to look popular? Do you find that having an aquaintance is satisfying, or too much work?
12 comments:
Less friends, more acquaintances. And remembering acquaintances names? Forget about it. I'm horrible.
@Michelle: Your comment reminds me of a previous post called Familiarity Factor. If you think about it, those to whom you are familiar with can also be considered acquaintances.
Tons of acquaintances, and a few close friends. However, I tend to keep a wall up to prevent anyone from getting too close.
I usually a few close friends and a lot of aquaintances. I guess since my hubby was in the Navy, I have kept a partially closed heart when it comes to friends. I seem to attract losers too, so that isn't always fun either.
I actually don't have too many of either just because I tend to be a little, er, socially challenged. When you're a kid they call it shyness, when you're an adult it's just neurosis. I have to make the friends I have count, but mostly I just shy away from people in general. Less folks to buy Summer sausages for, I guess. ;) Thanks for stopping by.
You are right on with this. So many people don't know the difference between friends and acquaintances. I have hundreds of acquaintances but only a handful of real friends. That is by choice.
True friends are hard to come by. I was lucky getting to travel when I was younger with my grandparents so I have met a lot of people that I would call friends but not sure how to look at it now. A lot of them I haven't talked to in a long time so should they be acquaintances? I might have to think about this some more.
You will not have a lot of true friends in a lifetime, but acquaintances will be many. Acquaintances are how you find your friends.
I think I agree with Otie. I have lots of acquaintances due to the several groups I'm in. I think some will eventually become 'friends' but most will stay the way they are. And that's okay.
thanks for coming by my place today. I'll be back :)
Well, I have about 20K acquaintances but honestly, probably hundreds of friends. Some I've never met face to face but are better to me than some I've know in real life for years.
I am more of a few close friends type of gal and mostly casual friends'acquaintances for the others. It's kind of weird the way I am with friends. When I am with that person, whether writing or talking on the phone or having lunch, I will treat that person like the most important person in the world. Whenever I get together with friends, I do this. I hope it makes them feel good, but it makes me feel good too because I feel like I'M getting something out of it as well.
I have many acquaintances, and very few friends. Not sure what happened there since I used to have a lot. All my friends seem to be bloggers now.
Post a Comment