8 Ways To Be A Better Friend

How many of you have only few friends? I have many friends but not that close. I met people online and became closer as always chatting in YM. Some i just met and some are already friends for a long time. I found a tips on how to be a better friends. Here are the 8 tips:

Tip 1 – Be Honest
Honesty may seem like a slippery slope in friendship. A weak friendship may not survive through honesty, but any friendship that is not based on honesty is surely doomed to fail. Being honest doesn’t mean being unkind or blunt. It does mean sharing the truth in a loving way. It can be very difficult to be honest, but in the long run, a solid friendship will grow in the process.

Tip 2 – Be Quiet, But Supportive
It is not unusual to have a friend who is struggling in her marriage at some point or having a difficult time with her mother, sister or another close friend. This is the time to be quiet. In almost every case, these relationships will be mended, so if you are the one to say unkind words about your friend’s spouse or family members, they will not be happily recalled by her.

Tip 3 – Don’t Gossip
I never get close to women who talk about other people. I figure if they’re talking about others behind their backs, they’re talking about me behind mine. Don’t ever think you’re the exception. By not engaging in gossip – either with or about your friends – you won’t worry about having something you said thrown back at you.

Tip 4 – Be Sacrificial, Not Superficial
Friendship can require giving up your own desires occasionally. If your friend marries or has a baby, it may mean that you don’t get as much time with her as before. It may also mean that your time with her isn’t of the same quality as in the past. Demands on her have changed and, as her friend, you have to sacrifice part of the relationship to maintain the friendship. Rather than feeling sorry for yourself, try to be gracious and understanding.

Tip 5 – Have More Than One Friend
Most healthy women have many acquaintances, a handful of good friends and two or three very close friends. It’s dangerous to have only one close friend. That’s a tremendous burden to put on a person, being your only friend. No single person should meet that need because every person has something to offer. By having more than one close friend, you’ll be healthier and a better friend overall.

Tip 6 – Don’t Be So Sensitive
Overly sensitive people think primarily of themselves and how they feel about everything. If your friends have to be careful about what they say around you or constantly worry about hurting your feelings, the relationships can’t grow past a certain point. Strong friendships require honesty, and it’s impossible to be honest with someone who is overly sensitive. If your friend says something that seems hurtful or unkind at the time, give yourself a little time to think about it before reacting. If your feelings remain hurt, discuss what was said and explain why it hurt you. Usually, a friend doesn’t realize that she was hurtful, and she’ll want to apologize. If you find yourself constantly being hurt, you need to examine whether it’s your friend’s insensitivity or your own sensitivity.

Tip 7 – Don’t Get in the Middle
People in relationships have their ups and downs. Friends become divided at times, and you could end up in the middle if you’re not cautious. Never allow yourself to be in between two friends or a friend and her spouse. Demand that they work out the issue on their own terms without including you in the process. The danger of ending up in the middle is that, in the end, they may both turn on you.

Tip 8 – Don’t Make Assumptions
I get really busy sometimes and don’t call people. Most of my close friends understand that if they don’t hear from me, they’re welcome to call, but it’s usually a sign that I’m in the middle of project or near a tight deadline.

Source: Lifescript