Does the number of real life friends a person have define them?

1. 93

   CWanamakerposted 12 years ago

   Does the number of real life friends a person have define them?
   
   In other words, is the number of friends that a person has important? Do outsiders see it as a status booster or a status dropper?

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2. 60

   tiffanyec24posted 12 years ago

   This can work both ways. I do not see the number of friends someone has as important. I think that loyal friends are important. An example would be that my fiance has a lot of 'friends' and is really popular. However, when he needs someone's help or something happens, only a few loyal friends are there to help or offer support. On the other hand, I don't have many close friends, but they are all loyal and are there when I need them. I do not believe that the number of friends someone has defines them. I believe that it shouldn't matter as long as you have a few loyal friends by your side.

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3. 60

   Quirinusposted 12 years ago

   I'm not a sociologist but I understand that man by virtue of his birth is a social being.  Thus, most of us seek the company of our peers.  Most of us also seek the companionship of a significant other.  One observation is made is that a lot of people are afraid to be or be seen eating alone. 
   
   However, there are a few enlightened among us who understand their beliefs do not find an easy match with their peers or people around them.  These group may find experiences such as contemplation or meditation more satisfying.  Or even reading books, whose authors turn out to affirm the more advanced level of human experiences that they are already living.
   
   In the end, it's a matter of understanding, accepting and appreciating your uniqueness and pursuing a life that is more in tune with your self.

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4. 59

   shanayaposted 12 years ago

   
   
   I personaly do not believe that the number of friends someone has defines them.
   
   People can have tons of friends but they could flee at a moments notice or if something bad happened to you.
   
   Its not how many friends you have is important, but what kind of friends you have is important. It is good to have one good friend than having 10 bad friends, and you cannot call each and everyone as your best friend. Best friends are those, who cares you, who thinks about without any motive or without expecting anything in return, and who thinks of ur well being.

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5. 94

   sangreposted 12 years ago

   A true friend is someone who is there for you in the good times and the bad times.
   
   Having lots of friends is great for social occasions but if they all disappear when you truely need them are they really good friends in all honesty.

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6. 63

   Ramsa1posted 12 years ago

   The word "friend" is often misused to mean acquaintance. A true friend will stick with you through thick or thin. I prefer to have a few true friends than many fair-weather "friends".
   
   Being popular with lots of friends does equate to happiness. I enjoy my own company and enjoy solitude, peace and quiet. I don't need to be constantly entertained by my friends.

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7. 61

   Ariseabelleposted 12 years ago

   In society these days, to other people who are not your friends it does matter. Sometimes they may base your "coolness" on how many friends you may have. Many people look at your friends and what they are into to describe you. But in all actuality, it should not matter how many friends you may have. You may be classified as anti-social if you dont have many friends, but does it really matter what everyone else thinks?

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8. 77

   shoganposted 12 years ago

   Having one true friend is a rare thing, especially these days.  Having lots and lots of friends almost guarantees that each of them views you as just one of many.

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9. 37

   edhanposted 12 years ago

   I believe whether outsiders or friends, they are the same. First, they are strangers and becoming friends. So, I always believe of being good to someone and soon we can be friends even though they are outsiders in the beginning. They will be of help when in times of need. Even outsiders come to help.

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10. 60

    Joan1posted 12 years ago

    You mean: if this other person has more friends on facebook, will others think he/she is cooler than me?
    
    You can't be defined by how many friends you have.
    You can define the person a bit by who his real friends are.
    Not by how many. That can only tell you how social, or how easily you use the term friend.

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11. 71

    Kamalesh050posted 12 years ago

    No I don't think number of friends which you have is important at all. What is important what kind of friends do you have, are they 'real' friends who will stand by you when you need them, who you can trust, love and respect , who is always there to share your sorrows and happiness ?,
    
    You can have  hundreds of friends but many of them are ' good time friends ',  if you are in trouble and  need help  many of them will disappear. It is always better to have limited number of friends but real good ones than having too many so called friends who are selfish, who you will find around you in your good times but not when you are in distress.

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12. 59

    Norma Youngposted 12 years ago

    No it is not important. Most of the friends you have probably aren't your real friends. most people get a whole bunch of friends just to make them look good but its all within.

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13. 61

    Pollyannalanaposted 12 years ago

    Real friends, yes. It doesn't have to be many, the real is most important.

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14. 68

    dragonlady1967posted 12 years ago

    The number of friends a person has does not define them.  What defines a person is their character, and values.  Anybody can be the life of a party, or seem like they always have people around them.  What people really remember is how you treated that person or how you reacted with various situations.  It's only a status booster in the person's eyes who seem to be collecting friends such as 200 or more people added to your social pages.  Real friends are there for you, and seem to always enjoy your company or want the best for you.  These are the people a person lets close to their hearts and who get to see the real "you".

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15. 61

    NorthEast Timberposted 12 years ago

    No.  Everyone is different not every is into friends.  There are alot of loners out there who are great people that are great philanthropists.  If we are judged by the number of friends we have then it could also mean we don't like to be alone, we need more than ourselves to be fulfilled.  Some of us enjoy company, but find everything we need right at home.  Our family, spouse, pets maybe, hobbies.   Judging a person by the number of friends they have is like judging a beauty pagent by the number of contestants and not by the beauty of them.

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16. 59

    Lisa Makiposted 12 years ago

    It is not so much the number of friends one has but the quality of friends he has. Having lots of friends has its advantages and disadvantages. As one gets older, these friends are filtered. When one gets married, things also change. I believe in maintaining a few trusted, like-minded friends in our inner circle and the rest should be in the other circles.

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17. 61

    LittlePaydayposted 12 years ago

    I have always felt that quality is more important than quantity - in other words I feel it is more important to have 5 quality (close meaningful) friendships than having 500 "friends" of whom you may barely talk to (i.e. Facebook).
    If you believe that then it shouldn't matter what others think.

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18. 77

    moiragallagaposted 12 years ago

    There is this saying that goes, "tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are." It isn't the number of friends that will define you. Since we tend to gravitate towards people with common interests, values and outlook in life as we do, then it is the quality of your friends and the company you keep that defines you.

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19. 60

    Jonesy0311posted 12 years ago

    I have a problem with large groups to begin with. Knowing that "groupthink" and the "Inner Circle" dominate human behavior, especially in exclusive groups, they freak me out. I imagine that the less often you use your individual mind, the more friends you probably have because you naturally conform to their ideals in order to maintain the friendship. Think about it. How many times have you just agreed with a friend or a group because you didn't want to make waves...That's weak.

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20. 60

    4tuneposted 12 years ago

    Quality NOT quantity .. I am way too serene in nature to deal with a lot of friends, I need more space and quite time than some friends I have that are constantly on the run, on the phone, whatever.. I could not live that way I would loose my temper.

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21. 61

    smzclarkposted 12 years ago

    it's not about quantity...it's all about quality!

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22. 0

    icountthetimesposted 12 years ago

    I don't think so. People have different personalities and some people don't want loads of friends. They prefer a few very close ones.  It really all depends on  the individual. Some really good hearted people are shy or loners and don't have hundreds of friends. Some 'not so nice' people can often influence others and have many, many friends. I'd say it's less to do with the number and more what the friends they do have (regardless of the number) are like.

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23. 84

    justateacherposted 12 years ago

    It's not the quantity of friends a person has, but the quality of friends they have. I have very few friends - most of which are family - and consider myself very lucky to have these wonderful people in my life!

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24. 72

    Loi-Reneeposted 12 years ago

    I don't think so. Its the value of the friends that really count.

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25. 0

    rindovincentposted 12 years ago

    Both plays out even. According to me by being frank in life one may get lot of enemies but not fake friends.

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26. 34

    LORD ENKIposted 12 years ago

    Definitly NOT! What defines a person is the deeds they preform and the content of there chareter.Do you want to know who your true friends are?end up broke or in jail and you'll soon discover who they are!

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27. 71

    Ann Marie Dwyerposted 12 years ago

    No.
    1. Friendship requires another to judge you and deem you worthwhile as a friend. While this seems innocuous, being exposed to people with proficient character judgment precludes the assumption you will encounter many people able to accurately judge your value as a friend.
    2. Friendship also requires the person who judges you worthwhile to be a person with whom you reciprocate judgment. While you may be a good friend to one, one may not fit your criteria for a good friend.
    3. The number of friends is not important:
    -as a gauge of your value
    -as an indicator of your ability to socialize
    -as an indicator of your ability to be a good friend
    4. If an outsider judges you for the number of people he assumes are your friends, he is not friend material. He is seeking popularity, which, incidentally, has nothing whatsoever to do with friendship. You can be very well-liked, but have no true friends.
    In a lifetime, those who can count more than three real friends are truly fortunate. Real friends last a lifetime.
    Acquaintances and colleagues are merely ships which pass in the night: Useful in the moment, but over time outlive such usefulness.
    Red.

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