Poll: How long do you keep friends?

[Kuriko]

I'm friends with someone until they just, idk, don't want to be friends? I guess it's just til they forget about me. If they don't forget about me, then obviously I'll be friends with someone for a very long time.

 

[[.redacted]]

Better to die standing for a cause in a warzone than sitting miserably behind a desk.

Flat NO. You only live once, then you're dead. Don't squander it, eternal nothingness is not always the best destination.

OT: As long as it's convenient to have them around. If they become irritating, or become tiresome to contact, they will probably be replaced very quickly.

I never get too close to anyone really, but not out of choice, more as a side effect of my subconscious habit of adapting the mannerisms and thinking patterns of those I want to talk to/hang around with. When I genuinely weigh up the value I place on their existence, and their worth as a person, I oft-times determine that those same people are merely a temporary distraction from an otherwise boring day.

 

[Outright Villainy]

Well it kind of depends. I've plenty of old friends I never talk to anymore, but people change a lot in their teen years. I have about 5 friends I've kept for years though.

 

[mushupork3mpire]

Well I make Friends at college but then they all fail and get kicked out and I pass and continue onto the next year and the cycle repeats itself again

 

[Marter]

I don't end friendships, or at least, I haven't yet. Other people have though. I try to keep friends as long as I can.

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

to the OP: i know this isn't the question you asked, but you seem to want to know, anyway. the truth is, it's hard to have real friendships before your late teens, because before that point, most people don't really even know themselves. i have 1 friend (aside from people like family friends with whom i have established more personal relationships with later in life) i have known most of my life. my other friends are all friends i made from 17-30. before 16 or 17, i had no idea who i was, so to make a lasting friend was very difficult.

don't worry. hang in there. you'll find people you can relate to, eventually.

 

[JoshGod]

Usually until i move on so around 7-8 yrs so far.

 

[JokerCrowe]

I've had quite a lot of friends. No seriously, I have. But I've only had like 3 really loyal and and completely-on-the-same-page-as-me friends. And I've noticed that I've kept those... And now my circle of friends who are as loyal and on the same page as me has grown to like 7. And I hope I get to keep all of them for a lifetime.
...
Or at least 10 years.

EDIT: A story? Well I suppose I could share one:
When I was little, I mean really little, I was a very careful child. I didn't want to hurt anything and I didn't want to get hurt. Whenever I walked, I would always hold on to something so I wouldn't fall over (I mean like 2 years old). And I was pretty much afraid of everything. So this one day my mom and I were out on the playground close to where I lived and this girl came up to me. She was very dark, brown even, and she had big dark eyes.
For some reason this must have scared little me, because I pushed her. I pushed a girl. To the ground. My mom was in shock. I had never even hurt a fly in my entire life, and here I was, pushing a complete stranger to the ground.
Luckily the girl didn't seem to be that upset by it. She was surprised, no doubt, but not at all upset. She had been adopted from an orphanage in Sri Lanka, an island outside the *cough**mumble*-cost of India. She was 3, and she had (unfortunately) gotten used to being pushed around. So being pushed by me wasn't that big of a deal.
In hindsight, I'm actually pretty glad I pushed that girl that day, she turned out to be one of my closest friends, or even more; like a sister. We still keep in touch 17 years later, and whenever we see eachother, it's as though we've never been apart. Even if it's been months and months since our last encounter. I'm sure we'll remain friends until we're well into our 60's (accidental and or sickness related deaths not accounted). And to think, it started out with me pushing a girl.

Sorry, I bet that wasn't even remotely interesting to most of you, but I just felt like telling that story. ^^

 

[The Man With the Soap]

Well, I've been having some trouble maintaining a few friendships (that is, the only ones I've really tried to maintain).

My backstory: My dad was in the military for a very large portion of his life, and most of mine. Specifically, 10 or 11 of my 15 years alive. I've lived in seven states (USA! USA!), with 1-2 year intervals between most of them, on average. I've been in my current state, going to school in the same area for almost 5 years now, but because of my old habits and mindset, I've been moving between groups I've felt comfortable in constantly through the years. I'm starting to run out of groups to join, and my drifter-type lifestyle doesn't work so well in a long-term residency.

In short, I'm somewhat detached and... can't think of a term I like, so "not very close to" my friends will do. And what really blows is that many of my friends who I try to stick with seem to be blowing me off, but that's a bitching session I'll keep in reserve a while longer.

Am I weird? Does anyone else ever feel this way? Leave a story or two on your way out, if you'd like.

You tell your father that some random guy on the internet says thank you for what you do for all of us. (I make a habit of thanking a soldier in uniform whenever I see one, where ever I see one.)

On to the topic at hand, I keep friends for about one to two years. We always seem to just drift apart, but it never bothers me for some reason. Hopefully, I will develope some longer-lasting friendships when I join the Marines.

I wish you luck with your militarian conquests. Likewise, you have my support. As a random guy on the internet,

I salute you.

Thank you very much. I really mean that. I haven't recieved a lot of encouragement from most people on the subject, so the support means a lot (even if you are a random guy on the internet).

If it's what you want to do, then it's what you want to do. If they just don't think it's the right choice: You know better than anyone else. If they are concerned about the dangers of being a grunt (If that is what you plan on doing): Better to die standing for a cause in a warzone than sitting miserably behind a desk.

It's not that they're afraid for me. It's that they don't seriously believe that I will follow through with it. They try to talk me out of it, and I just think to myself, "If I don't serve, who will?"

Better to die standing for a cause in a warzone than sitting miserably behind a desk.

Flat NO. You only live once, then you're dead. Don't squander it, eternal nothingness is not always the best destination.

OT: As long as it's convenient to have them around. If they become irritating, or become tiresome to contact, they will probably be replaced very quickly.

I never get too close to anyone really, but not out of choice, more as a side effect of my subconscious habit of adapting the mannerisms and thinking patterns of those I want to talk to/hang around with. When I genuinely weigh up the value I place on their existence, and their worth as a person, I oft-times determine that those same people are merely a temporary distraction from an otherwise boring day.

Yes, you only live life once. But, I don't want to squander my life as a slave in a white collar, working a job I hate, to buy junk I don't need. The attacks on September 11th hit me hard. My grandfather fought in World War II, and my uncle served in Vietnam. I want to serve my country so that you, and all American citizens can enjoy the comforts and freedoms that we have. I may disagree with what you say, sir, but I will defend your right to say it with my life.

 

[MasterOfWorlds]

I have trouble keeping friends. Either they get sick of me or move away or something.

I was best friends with this one guy for like 5-6 years, then one day out of the blue, I call him to hang out and he hangs up on me. A little bit later, I find out that he hates me, find out several different stories about why he hates me, none of which match up, and he sends me a message through one of the people he knows calling one of my female friends a *****. I have no clue what brought that on.

...Other than the fact that he's super addicted to WoW and does tons of drugs (I have proof, it's not speculation >.>).

Other than that, the typical stuff, moving away, changing schools, falling out of contact with friends. Most of the time it's no big deal. Even the guy that was my best friend, it didn't bother me all that much, I just wanted to know why.

Of course, I don't care if people hate me, as long as they have a good reason. It's not like I slept with his mom or anything. Even if I might have wanted to. XD

 

[Crazy_Dude]

Usually 2-3 years.

I never planned for losing any friends but I bailed out of high school and stuff similar to that resulting into the loss of a few friends. So far I only have 1 real friend that I have known for all my life. (I know him since birth practicly since our parents are great friends)

Doing Community College now and the group of friends I have now is great I would love if these friendships would last for a very long time but I will just have to wait and see after College.

 

[Broady Brio]

I've moved on from my childhood friends.

Though I can't say that I have close friends to begin with. My experience in life taught to not trust anyone ever.

 

[bak00777]

well i have a handful of close friends, one ive been friends with for 10yrs, another ive been friends with 6yrs. I have a lot of aquantences(sp) that ive known for several years, but as i said i have a handful of close friends and i keep those for a long time( hopefully for life)

 

[[.redacted]]

Yes, you only live life once. But, I don't want to squander my life as a slave in a white collar, working a job I hate, to buy junk I don't need. The attacks on September 11th hit me hard. My grandfather fought in World War II, and my uncle served in Vietnam. I want to serve my country so that you, and all American citizens can enjoy the comforts and freedoms that we have. I may disagree with what you say, sir, but I will defend your right to say it with my life.

Very well, under certain circumstances it can be a valuable use of your life in terms of self actualisation to stand and fight for that which you believe in. I merely state that the blanket phrase used in the original post:

Better to die standing for a cause in a warzone than sitting miserably behind a desk.

Is quintessentially wrong without the aforementioned certain circumstances.

The eternal darkness is only unfeared by those who cannot, or have not, comprehended its true horror.

 

[Talshere]

Well Ive only seriously moved once, when I came to uni. I have to say Ive not been very good at keeping in touch. In my 3rd year now and the last time I spoke to my best mate back home was for 5 mins when he saw me in his car between my first and second years.

In all honesty though. I think I have very little in common with those friends now They all effectivly dropped out of education when they chose to go on the dole rather than get meaningful jobs or go to uni. It makes me feel fairly sad.

Other than this uni event though, I had the same sat of friend my entire life, and while at uni Ive kept the same friend with some minor variation. Will I continue seeing them...I honestly have no idea. I hope so

 

[Keela]

I've had quite a lot of friends. No seriously, I have. But I've only had like 3 really loyal and and completely-on-the-same-page-as-me friends. And I've noticed that I've kept those... And now my circle of friends who are as loyal and on the same page as me has grown to like 7. And I hope I get to keep all of them for a lifetime.
...
Or at least 10 years.

EDIT: A story? Well I suppose I could share one:
When I was little, I mean really little, I was a very careful child. I didn't want to hurt anything and I didn't want to get hurt. Whenever I walked, I would always hold on to something so I wouldn't fall over (I mean like 2 years old). And I was pretty much afraid of everything. So this one day my mom and I were out on the playground close to where I lived and this girl came up to me. She was very dark, brown even, and she had big dark eyes.
For some reason this must have scared little me, because I pushed her. I pushed a girl. To the ground. My mom was in shock. I had never even hurt a fly in my entire life, and here I was, pushing a complete stranger to the ground.
Luckily the girl didn't seem to be that upset by it. She was surprised, no doubt, but not at all upset. She had been adopted from an orphanage in Sri Lanka, an island outside the *cough**mumble*-cost of India. She was 3, and she had (unfortunately) gotten used to being pushed around. So being pushed by me wasn't that big of a deal.
In hindsight, I'm actually pretty glad I pushed that girl that day, she turned out to be one of my closest friends, or even more; like a sister. We still keep in touch 17 years later, and whenever we see eachother, it's as though we've never been apart. Even if it's been months and months since our last encounter. I'm sure we'll remain friends until we're well into our 60's (accidental and or sickness related deaths not accounted). And to think, it started out with me pushing a girl.

Sorry, I bet that wasn't even remotely interesting to most of you, but I just felt like telling that story. ^^

Actually, that was adorable. Served as a good boost to my day. All I need now is a reassuring cuddle and I can soldier through tomorrow!

 

[Keela]

Well Ive only seriously moved once, when I came to uni. I have to say Ive not been very good at keeping in touch. In my 3rd year now and the last time I spoke to my best mate back home was for 5 mins when he saw me in his car between my first and second years.

In all honesty though. I think I have very little in common with those friends now They all effectivly dropped out of education when they chose to go on the dole rather than get meaningful jobs or go to uni. It makes me feel fairly sad.

Other than this uni event though, I had the same sat of friend my entire life, and while at uni Ive kept the same friend with some minor variation. Will I continue seeing them...I honestly have no idea. I hope so

As always, you are wished the best of luck. I know, it sucks when you WANT to keep in contact with an old friend but you lose touch anyway. That's basically the situation I'm in with a few of my friends from last year... seems odd, with me calling friends I've known for a year "old friends" while many posters in this topic are talking about friends they've had for their whole lives, who they consider "old friends".

 

[The Man With the Soap]

Yes, you only live life once. But, I don't want to squander my life as a slave in a white collar, working a job I hate, to buy junk I don't need. The attacks on September 11th hit me hard. My grandfather fought in World War II, and my uncle served in Vietnam. I want to serve my country so that you, and all American citizens can enjoy the comforts and freedoms that we have. I may disagree with what you say, sir, but I will defend your right to say it with my life.

Very well, under certain circumstances it can be a valuable use of your life in terms of self actualisation to stand and fight for that which you believe in. I merely state that the blanket phrase used in the original post:

Better to die standing for a cause in a warzone than sitting miserably behind a desk.

Is quintessentially wrong without the aforementioned certain circumstances.

The eternal darkness is only unfeared by those who cannot, or have not, comprehended its true horror.

What if someone has just come to terms with the fact that one day, they will die, and there's not a thing they can do about it?