Friendship Etiquette - does it exist? What is it?

A girlfriend and I were talking about blogging about Etiquette in society, everything from public transport through to family, friendship and partners.... First on this list is Friendship Etiquette, does it exist? What does it look like?..

I'll start with the description of the word:-
Etiquette ~ A code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class or group.

Naturally friendship is a very complex thing, this cannot perhaps be placed into a list of 'rules, policies or procedures' as let's face it that would make it not only dull but also too easy, rather we live in a world where thoughts of 'if they did this, did that mean that?" or 'she didn't invite me does that mean I'm worthless' or simply, 'she's too fat to wear that, OH Hello Person X *KISS KISS*'.

If there were perhaps a set of Etiquette rules or items to follow from personal experience I would suggest the following:

·         Maintain amicable social relations with your friends and try to develop sincere links and continue to cement friendship. Avoid adopting an attitude of annoyance with your friends.
Form friendships with pure and righteous people.

·         Trust your friends. Behave cheerfully while you are in their company. Avoid being gloomy and making your friends gloomy. Be informal, frank and good nature amidst friends. Your friends should not feel bored with your presence; rather they should feel happy and alive in your company and should feel drawn towards you.

·         Do not be dull and spiritless. Be of good cheer and keep your spirits high.

·         Be loyal and devoted to your friends. The best form of devotion to your friend is that you should increasingly try to elevate their opinions and beliefs of themselves.

·         Meet your friends in a cheerful, amicable, joyous and sincere manner. Greet them warmly avoid showing an indifferent, cold and unconcerned behaviour. Say words of praise and thanks and joy and satisfaction during meetings with your friends.

·         Whenever you differ among yourselves on any matter resolve it at once. Always take the initiative to seek forgiveness and to admit your fault.

·         Do not lose time in making peace. The longer the delay in resolving quarrels, the deeper grow the roots of contention, and the wider grows the gulf of separation between the hearts.

·         Be a trustworthy confident. If a friend, relying on your good faith, confides their secret in you, you should safeguard this secret. Do not betray the confidence of your friend

I would also go on to discuss the Etiquette behind when friendships part ways, either organically when personalities grow/adapt/change or perhaps when something more sinister has caused the split. Whichever the case this should be handled with grace and poise, don't start spreading rumours after your old friend to other friends, there is no need to behave nasty towards someone who may have invested years into your life.

If on the receiving end of such behaviour as a mutual friend it is your duty to stay far away from any discussions of resentment towards friends and perhaps suggest that you are a multual friend and that you value both friendships. However how often this is actually the case is yet to be seen particularly when female friendships are involved, yes I am sterotyping that females tend to invest more into friendships and be more emotional when it comes to that awful 'friendship breakup' we become hurt, upset and can perhaps sometimes lash out. Instead I suggest remembering a time not so long before when the friendship was good and how much you valued that person in times of good and bad, think of that before the next time you go to create negative opinions for other people.

Friendships come and go, something that takes years to understand and deal with I think however the lesson to be learned is what to do and how to act after the friendship perhaps come to an end, keeping it mind it is painful for both persons involved.

xx Stay Awesome