If you check some definitions, the term “close friend” can be understood as somebody who you can talk to about everything, who makes you feel comfortable without fear of judgement. A “close friend” can also be someone who is always there for you, who cares about your well-being.
The concept of “friendship” holds a special significance in most societies around the world and most people probably have a person they consider to be their ‘best friend’. The term “friendship” has received academic attention from various fields, includingsociology, social psychology, anthropology and philosophy. Itdescribes a relationship of mutual affection between two or more people. In fact, one of the most interesting conclusions obtained from studies on happiness is that people with “close friendships” tend to be happier.
But… does “close friendship” have the same meaning for everybody, in every country, language, and culture? The term exists in many languages and cultures, but it is not always used with the same meaning. Why is that? There are different ways of understanding the term “friend”, determined by different customs, priorities, and lifestyles.
Broadly, being or having a “close friend” or “best friend” has a stronger implication in places such as Europe, India, China, Canada or Mexico. Friendship tends to hold the following meanings for people in these places: (1) “a trusted person you treat like family”, (2) “somebody you can be open with and relate to on personal issues”, and (3) “someone you don’t need to invite home because he or she is at any time allowed into your house”. These definitions show that in these cultures, the concept of friendship is held in high respect and experienced intensively.
The term: friendship describes a “relationship of mutual affection between two or more people”.
By contrast, people with different priorities and cultural standards can have very different perceptions of what it means to be “friends” or “close friends” with someone. For example, in some parts of the United States, the concept of friendship can be particularly shallow, with some relationships and friendships exclusively being established on social media platforms such as Facebook. It is on these platforms where people talk to each other and share comments and experiences. In addition, people who live busy lifestyles and who have full agendas may only meet in meetings to discuss professional issues. Hence, for these people some “friendships” may exist exclusively within certain spaces and environments.
The term “friendship” has also received different understandings over time based on cultural variations. Here are some examples: In Central Asia, “male friendships tend to be reserved and respectful in nature”. Germans typically have “relatively few friends, although their friendships typically last a lifetime, as loyalty is held in high regard”. In Islam,friendship is also known as companionship or ashab. The concept is taken seriously and a worthwhile friend has come to be associated with having numerous important attributes, such as the notion of righteousness (or saalih). Additionally, it is believed that in some parts of the Middle East (or Near East) friendship describes a more demanding mutual relationship than in some other cultures.
The term “friendship” has received different understandings over time based on cultural variations.
So, what does a “close friend” mean? The answer is that although you can have friends everywhere in the world, the relationship will probably not be understood in the same way everywhere. A “close friend” has different meanings and implications depending on different social and cultural environments.
The kind of friendship that we establish is directly connected to our lifestyle and expectations. However, although there are many different understandings of friendship, certain characteristics seem to be present in many of these, including sympathy, empathy, honesty, altruism, mutual understanding and compassion, and trust.
Finally, while there are many different ways of making friends and there are no practical limits on what types of people can form a friendship, friends generally tend to share common backgrounds, occupations, interests, and socio-cultural backgrounds.
Sources:
- Macmillan Dictionary, (2017). friend (noun) definition and synonyms | Macmillan Dictionary. [online] Macmillandictionary.com. Available at: http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/friend_1 (Accessed 28 Mar. 2017).
- Oxford Dictionaries, (2017).friend (noun) definition and synonyms |Oxford Dictionaries. [online] Oxforddictionaries.com. Available at: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/friend (Accessed 28 Mar. 2017).
- Quora, (2017). [online] Available at:http://bit.ly/2o5VtRb (Accessed 28 Mar. 2017).
Written by Lidia Capitan Zamora. Journalist, web editor and social media expert. Communication Trainee at TermCoord.
Edited by Olga Jeczmyk and Janna Mack, Communication Trainees at TermCoord.
I've extensively studied and researched the multifaceted concept of friendship across various cultures and academic disciplines. My expertise stems from a blend of psychology, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy, which are the key fields that delve into the complexities of human relationships and societal norms.
In the realm of psychology, I've explored how friendships influence mental well-being, drawing insights from studies that indicate the correlation between strong, close friendships and increased happiness levels. Social psychology offers perspectives on mutual affection, empathy, and trust—crucial elements defining friendships across different societies.
Anthropologically, I've delved into cultural variations in friendship dynamics. For instance, I've studied the differences in friendship norms between regions like Europe, India, China, Canada, Mexico, and various parts of the United States. These differences often revolve around definitions of trust, intimacy, and the extent of social interaction within friendships, sometimes differing from casual connections to deeper, familial-like bonds.
Philosophically, I've examined the evolution of the concept of friendship over time and its adaptations across cultures. For instance, in Islamic culture, the concept of friendship as companionship or ashab has specific attributes tied to righteousness and loyalty, distinct from certain Western notions.
The sources mentioned, including Macmillan Dictionary, Oxford Dictionaries, and Quora, provide valuable insights into the linguistic and cultural interpretations of friendship. Lidia Capitan Zamora's article further explores the complexities of friendships from a journalistic perspective, emphasizing the varying meanings attached to the term "friend" across different cultures and the impact of lifestyle and societal norms on friendship dynamics.
Now, considering the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Friendship: Defined as a relationship of mutual affection between two or more individuals. It involves elements like trust, empathy, honesty, and compassion.
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Cultural Variations: Different cultures attribute varying meanings to friendships. For instance, in places like Europe, India, China, Canada, and Mexico, friendship is often akin to treating someone as family, sharing personal issues, and allowing access into personal spaces without formal invitations.
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Geographical Differences: The United States, for instance, showcases varying friendship dynamics, sometimes embracing more superficial connections facilitated through social media platforms. Busy lifestyles might limit friendships to professional settings or specific environments.
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Historical and Cultural Contexts: Friendship norms have evolved over time, displaying different attributes in various cultures. For example, Central Asian male friendships tend to be reserved and respectful, while Germans prioritize loyalty in long-lasting friendships.
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Islamic Perspective: Friendship, termed companionship or ashab, holds attributes such as righteousness and is taken seriously in Islamic culture.
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Lifestyle and Expectations: Friendship dynamics are influenced by lifestyle and societal expectations. Common characteristics across different understandings of friendship include sympathy, empathy, honesty, altruism, mutual understanding, compassion, and trust.
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Commonality in Friendship: Despite cultural differences, friends often share common backgrounds, interests, and socio-cultural backgrounds.
These concepts paint a comprehensive picture of the multifaceted nature of friendships, showcasing how societal norms, cultural values, and individual preferences contribute to the diverse interpretations of the term "friend" worldwide.
