How to maintain a friendship (REQUESTED)

Friends are AWESOME.

They like the same stuff as you, they're just like you in many ways and they always listen to you and appreciate you, as well as give you a massive amount of respect and trust and you give it to them in return. Life without friends is like cake without sugar.

It's boring and doesn't taste good.

They're quite hard to find, but once you find them, surely you don't want to have a messy fallout with them. Here's how to maintain that friendship.

Step 1: Say ok.

Unless you have other unmissable plans or it makes you uncomfortable, say yes to them when they ask you to do stuff either for them or with them.

"Hey, I'm going swimming on Saturday with (insert name here). You should come too."

"Yeah ok!"

"Come sit with us."
"Ok!"

"Could I borrow your sharpener?"
"Sure."

"Ugh I really hate this homework. Could you give me the answers for questions 6 and 7?"

"KK"

If you're loyal to them, this tells them that you're a good person to them and you're there for them.

But don't JUST say ok. Make plans with them too. Maybe invite them to see a new movie that you both take an interest in at the cinema or take them swimming. Maybe just go around your house and watch youtube videos or host a sleepover.

Don't do anything that you don't want to do, though.

Step 2: "We have so much in common."

Get to know that person and find stuff that they're interested in - if you both like something, talk about it more or maybe do stuff to do with it.

"Hey do you watch Dan and Phil?"

"YES I LOVE THEM have you seen their new video with Alfie?"
"Yeah - it's hilarious. How did they manage to guess that? I would never've guessed that."

"I know - I love the part when they-" (ETC.)

"We should go to a convention where Dan and Phil are. I heard that Zoe might be there too."
"YESYESYES THERE'S THAT FESTIVAL WE CAN GO TO"

But be aware: Festivals are only for privileged friends. Don't spend money on friends you don't know too well.

Step 3: Remember it. 

When it's their birthday, give them a card or a present if you REALLY like them. Find out what they like and give them a present to do with it.

Make sure you're good friends before giving them birthday pressies - if you're a stranger to them and you just simply happen to know that they like frozen and you give them a plush olaf, they might think you're a bit strange as you've been stalking them. But that's mean - decent people would be like "Thanks! What's your name?"

Step 4: Don'ts.

Don't stalk them too much or tell them anything that you only found out through stalking them.

"I love Harry Potter as well!"

"Um I've never told you I liked Harry Potter."

"It was on your facebook. You posted a status 48 hours, 37 minutes and 5 seconds ago saying "Re-reading the Harry Potter books again #nostalgia4lyfff"

"O_O"

Do this instead:

"Hey do you like Harry Potter?"
"Yeeees! I'm re-reading the books."
"Oh cool - that came up on my newsfeed."

If they find out you've been stalking them, they might look at you as clingy and that's a bit of a switch off.

It's good to do some research, but don't be that stalker guy that everyone wants to avoid.

It's fine to look at people's facebook - just don't be clingy!

Don't get into arguments with them.

If they say something you disagree with, just play it cool and don't raise your voice.

Step 5: Be there.

If they're upset, be the shoulder to cry on. Let them know you're there - there's nothing better than knowing either you're not alone or there are people who are supporting you.

I hope that helped a few of you because it certainly helped me. ^.^

-Harriet