Part of being a friend is being there when you are needed. This isn’t always easy but is important. A bad friend is one who just doesn’t care to be there. If you want to be a better friend there are tips here. There are also examples of being a bad friend so you can avoid them. If you expect someone to be there for you you also need to realize that returning the favor is important.
Key Takeaways:
- Long term relationships seem to cause couples to have fewer friends outside of the relationship, making it hard to find someone to confide in when there are problems.
- If you are chosen as a confidant, be emotionally supportive, listen, and try to give your friend perspective.
- If you are chosen as a confidant, don’t give too much advice, focus solely on yourself, or be critical of the friend’s spouse.
“Given how personal the problems are that confiders bring to their friends, it’s clear that everyone could use help in navigating these complex areas when providing support.”