How Often do you Make Friends?

[碇 シンジン 27,437]

Don't think I've made any but we'll see

[Ocean Breeze 5,140]

Like, because of my social anxiety it can be pretty hard, so not as often as most, but I try.

[RaraLover 10,420]

I don't make many friends, in real life. People just don't want to become friends with me, and I'm too shy to talk to people. I do have a couple of friends though, but not as many compared to the average teenager.

[Lord Midnight Madness 1,544]

I don’t make many friends I have a few that I work with. The rest are just aquiantices and people I know. I have a few friends still from high school that I still hang with but I make new friends pretty easy some people don’t get along with me though I’m pretty wacky.

[Clawdeen 15,860]

I’m not very good at making friends so not that often.

[Magic Note 2,752]

I still have significant trouble making friends. I often say the wrong thing and hurt them unintentionally, or just forget to talk to them because I get overwhelmed with managing people to talk to. It's especially more apparent of my severe social anxiety and low self-esteem.

[Jackleberry 1,923]

Lol.

Maybe like less than once a year? Once every few years? But it never lasts and at most we interact like only once or twice anyways. so I'm not sure if they'd even count. So in reality, I'd say never.

[Clawdeen 15,860]

Not very often but tbh I would prefer a few really good friends then a lot of superficial ones. 

[Avvery 40]

Not very often but I’m always open to anyone is interested in being my friends 

[Clawdeen 15,860]

Very rarely. Like….very rarely

[Starlight Serenade 3,839]

30 minutes ago, Clawdeen said:

Very rarely. Like….very rarely

Likewise. I have slowly been revamping and changing things up to focus on a small group of friends rather than a large group. Quality over quantity.

[Acinonyx 111]

Can't hold a friendship for salt, last and only one left is from 2012. Sure, I'd made about 4 "friends" in the last 5 years but they've all faded away or had to be put down by now. It's exceptionally difficult to connect with people when you can't relate to 90% of the things they've experienced and I end up disassociating hard in a lot of social situations with people I don't know well.

Other people as well are all engrossed in their own stuff, chasing the rat race or some distant dream. It seems that no-one has time to make friends anymore.

[Sparklefan1234 174,462]

I feel like I make a new friend on MLP Forums a few times a month. 😁

[Raskolnikov 115]

Rarely, the couple ones I have are in my home country (whom thankfully appreciate our friendship) and I've not had anyone stick here despite living here almost a decade which is kinda concerning :/

I do try to make plans when people show interest but it also feels like I'm the only one making the first move all the time and it just makes me feel devalued after a time, people get caught up with romantic pursuits or career chasing and it's hard not to be made to feel like shit being the one to be forgotten about...

[Ice Princess Silky <3 15,171]

I tend to be a magnet for people who are kind, friendly and even playful so it tends to be a bit overwhelming at times when I barely know them or get invited to parties or banter irl.

But to call them officially “friends” is a bit much. Even if I do notice they fling the word around a bit casually to me. 
 

in my experience, the people who have “pushed” the friendship the hardest have been the most questionable. How ironic. Those who have been respectful, sincere, etc have been the most surprising and amazing of experiences despite being less desperate about it.
 

To me… it is acquaintances first and then it builds up from there. Friendship takes time and not everyone is compatible even if their intentions are initially good. 
 

The word “friend” is a bit more of an intense responsibility to me.
 

With respecting their conversation and taking time to bond, etc. Sadly, some people are just drawn to chaos and conflict and this is how they “friendship” - getting disappointed or downright angry when others prefer not to engage in that when barely knowing each other or the deeper context as to why they even should…  it is disheartening to see this.

 

Even more so when these types consider me “cold” when I find life has such a richer meaning other than fleeting, ephemeral matters…

Now… best friend… is just an even higher level. When this level is achieved, I feel as though I am glowing with beautiful riches of the soul. 
 

But anything below friend has more of a formal cordiality to me.

Spoiler

Oh and one caveat. If you meet someone and they are constantly hitting you with conflicts or some “issue” they have with other people that they constantly “need help with..” you may think this is bonding or that you are playing some important role in their life… but if that is the only source for bonding then I would recommend you reconsider the structure of such a friendship…
 

also, get both sides of the story before choosing one since I have seen so much unnecessary tragedies from acting too hasty on these types of dynamics. 
 

see what I mean? Friendship is serious business to me 

 

[abronymouse 6,132]

Nevar! Okay, my last really real one was in 1990 (primary school friend), but then I made a few in school, even though they were quite short-term ones, so I'll say the last one was in 1998. It was nice, I do kinda miss that feeling  

well, I'm friendly enough, but I'm a big ole introvert who prefers playing with their imaginary ponies than dealing with people

unlike the IMO *poorly named @Ice Princess Silky <3, I have no prescription for how to make friends with me or what my expectations are. If you like ponies, it's a start, though!

5 hours ago, Ice Princess Silky <3 said:

Even more so when these types consider me “cold” when I find life has such a richer meaning other than fleeting, ephemeral matters…

that is crazy! you're one of the warmest pony types I've met! I mean... it is an internet fandom, so that's not a huge compliment  but still... I think they must be just mad that you don't spend more time with 'em

 

*the Ice bit, not the Silky bit. Although that could be improved by an extra 'l'

Edited April 16 by abronymouse

[Ice Princess Silky <3 15,171]

2 hours ago, abronymouse said:

I think they must be just mad that you don't spend more time with 'em

Awww, that sounds sweet. I wish I had more time to spend with everyone but sadly between balancing adult life, managing things behind the site here and also trying to engage things a little bit publicly... it becomes nearly impossible to be with everyone. However, I do my best to be as supportive as possible.

I also have to concentrate and dedicate time to the friendships that I am much closer with and even here on the site... said friendships may appear as "inactive" and they may not be posting publicly but they still require attention and time as people after years of bonding and going through so much together. 

[Snoopy Fan 3,690]

On 2025-04-16 at 8:33 AM, Ice Princess Silky &lt;3 said:

Friendship takes time and not everyone is compatible even if their intentions are initially good. 

You make a good point, Silky.

On 2025-04-16 at 8:33 AM, Ice Princess Silky &lt;3 said:

With respecting their conversation and taking time to bond, etc.

That’s the best way to make friends.

[Hippity Hoppity Sketch 2,277]

I'm not actually sure, but based on the way people see me at school--a lot? We could have one conversation and then from me just listening and showing kindness, they like me? Then, the next day, they'll talk to me again and then the next day and the next and then a full on friendship is born!? I think that's how I made my first friends as well. Dx 

[Dah Onion Eater 4,655]

I have like, two in real life, off the forums

But when I tell you they are some of the strongest friendships ever I am not lying bro, we've never had a single falling out or fight!

Edit: Of course I adore my forum friends too, not to say I don't because I absolutely value every single friend here, even so called acquaintances are friends to me!

Edited April 20 by Dah Onion Eater