The Rules of Friendship
This list of rules will continue to grow as this newsletter explores different aspects of friendship. Check back for updates!
To read the story behind each rule, simply click on the blue link.
Unfortunately, bullying isn’t limited to the schoolyard; it can happen to adults as well.
When friends ask for favors, you are not obliged to say yes all the time.
Friendships are voluntary relationships that should be mutually satisfying.
Real conversations between friends require a balanced exchange and good listening skills.
Close friendships depend on the ability of two people to communicate openly and honestly.
Friendships at work, while rewarding, often come with perils; approach them cautiously
Don’t fall prey to the myth that everyone already has their friends. Friendships are dynamic.
Teenage friends often drift apart as people grow and their interests change.
Being overly anxious can impede making and keeping friends but anxiety can be treated.
Recognizing a friendship problem is the first step in resolving it.
Friendship doesn’t have to include providing free professional services.
A smile can make strangers happy and open the door to a possible friendship.
Men can make new friends at any stage of life if they make it a priority.
It’s especially painful to recover from a one-sided friendship breakup.
When a friendship ends abruptly, we may be at a loss to understand the reasons.
One-sided breakups of online friendships often leave many unanswered questions.
When it comes to counting friends, quality is more important than quantity.