Do you really have REAL FRIENDS? How do you know it?
Or; do you have only occasional friends?(you can include Fbook ones!!)

I have a couple that I've known all my life... and one from here, but that's about it.

I have like a handful in real life. But I can rely on them, and vice versa.

Online kind of friends? A couple as well.

I have real friends a few anyway, I get together with in person on occasion.

I have their phone numbers and Know where they work. Male and female.

Online are associates unknown Persons. Imo

Yup .. I'm lucky to have a few. How do I know .. guess you know too .. if you've lived a bit in this crazy world, you definitely will know by time to whom to trust and count on .. simple as that. Me and 2 of my my very close friends .. we've been the best buddies over 40 years .. and it says a lot, methinks.
@OP - But how about you .. might be interesting to hear about your personal experience and point of view on this subject as well .. unless you do not happen to do any social research among the mingle users .. lol

I have a few close friends. I have my two best friends who know A TON about me. I have those occasional friends and I have my work family. I have my Mingle friends too.

If you have or count on 1 or 2 good-real-close friends; you are really lucky. Not easy to find and keep a sincere and deep friendship in this world. Persons change in several aspects that affect friendship.

Call your close friends if they don't call.Use only kind words. They will call you next.

None, not one, ever.

Hindsight is always 20/20, except when it isn't.

There are always limits.

I have many friendly acquaintances but never experienced a truly real friendship. I thought I had but she betrayed me eventually.

Friendship is a quiet walk in the park with the one you trust.
Friendship is when they gaze into your eyes and you know they care.
Friendship is being close even when you are far apart.
Friendship is hoping that they experience the very best.
Friendship occupies your mind.
Friendship is knowing that you will always try to be there when in need.
Friendship is a warm smile in the winter.
Friendship can survive without love.
Love cannot live without friendship.

I've learned—
that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.
I've learned—
that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned—
that it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do about it.
I've learned—
that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think.
I've learned—
that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it.
I've learned—
that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned—
that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned—
that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned—
that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
I've learned—
that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I've learned—
that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I've learned—
that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned—
that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned—
that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned—
that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned—
that sometimes when my friends fight, I'm forced to choose sides even when I don't want to.
I've learned—
that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I've learned—
that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.
I've learned—
that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I've learned—
that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I've learned—
that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get farther in life.
I've learned—
that no matter how many friends you have, if you are their pillar you will feel lonely and lost at the times you need them most.
I've learned—
that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I've learned—
that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe.

Right Now…

Somebody is very proud of you.
Somebody is thinking of you.
Somebody is caring about you.
Somebody misses you.
Somebody wants to talk to you.
Somebody wants to be with you.
Somebody hopes you aren't in trouble.
Somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.
Somebody wants to hold your hand.
Somebody hopes everything turns out all right.
Somebody wants you to be happy.
Somebody wants you to find him/her.
Somebody is celebrating your successes.
Somebody wants to give you a gift.
Somebody thinks that you ARE a gift.
Somebody hopes you're not too cold, or too hot.
Somebody wants to hug you.
Somebody loves you.
Somebody admires your strength.
Somebody is thinking of you and smiling.
Somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on.
Somebody wants to go out with you and have a lot of fun.
Somebody thinks the world of you.
Somebody wants to protect you.
Somebody would do anything for you.
Somebody wants to be forgiven.
Somebody is grateful for your forgiveness.
Somebody wants to laugh with you.
Somebody remembers you and wishes that you were there.
Somebody is praising God for you.
Somebody needs to know that your love is unconditional.
Somebody values your advice.
Somebody wants to tell you how much they care.
Somebody wants to share their dreams with you.
Somebody wants to hold you in their arms.
Somebody wants you to hold them in your arms.
Somebody treasures your spirit.
Somebody wishes they could stop time because of you.
Somebody praises God for your friendship and love.
Somebody can't wait to see you.
Somebody loves you for who you are.
Somebody loves the way you make them feel.
Somebody wants to be with you.
Somebody wants you to know they are there for you.
Somebody is glad that you're his/her friend.
Somebody wants to be your friend.
Somebody stayed up all night thinking about you.
Somebody is alive because of you.
Somebody is wishing that you noticed him/her.
Somebody wants to get to know you better.
Somebody wants to be near you.
Somebody misses your advice/guidance.
Somebody has faith in you.
Somebody trusts you.
Somebody needs you to send them this letter.
Somebody needs your support.
Somebody needs you to have faith in them.
Somebody will cry when they read this.
Somebody needs you to let them be your friend.
Somebody hears a song that reminds them of you.

My circle is small. Two good friends a few schoolmates I see now and then and a couple of people from work I hang out with on occasion.

Oh, how do I know? They showed up on moving day...and I was moving from a third floor apartment at the time.

I have acquaintances and I have a couple of true friends.... but just recently one of my acquaintances someone that I've known for at least 20 years.. died suddenly he was a very young man.. in his late 30s... made me realize maybe I wasn't as good a friend to him as he was to me... he truly was a great person he just had a way of screwing up all the time.. and for that reason I kept him at a distance.. but since his death I've struggled... and had to give things some real thought as far as why don't I have more friends in my circle... am I not trusting enough caring enough am I unable to put myself out there... and just accept people for who they are.. without prejudging....
Maybe by setting the bar so high on who I choose as friends... has kept people from wanting to be friends with me... or maybe I'm just really picky or super
Odd.... like they say nobody wants to be friends with a oddball.....lol

Wait a minute...if we're counting people that I've had to help move. Then I can't even count them on my fingers and toes, unless I grew some extra appendages. And by the way, I have all 10 fingers and toes...

But seriously, I have some close friends that I usually see or hang out with at least once every couple weeks.
I have some Mingle friends.
I also have what some call occasional friends. I call them acquaintances, not really friends. They don't really get to know me, know me. If ya know what I mean.

I think so. Other people can see them too. It's not just me.


I wonder at this phraseology in social forums.
There are always threads of "how do I know if they like me? How do I know what to say? How do I know if they're cheating? How do I know if they're the one? How do I know if there's trust?"

And even kinda backwards threads like "how do I know what to put in my profile to attract someone?" (i.e. how do I know who I have to present myself as to get who I think I want).

To me there seems to be an implied need for people to constantly seek out an authority to give them information and assurances, assuaging any responsibility for decision making, a constant need to avoid anything that triggers a sense of risk or fear.

Or IOW "I don't want to make a decision (or know how to) until I have all the information, so how do I get absolute information that someone else guarantees, I have to take no responsibility for, and can put forth as little effort in acquiring?"

How do you "know" if they're "really" your friend?
You don't.
You choose to see them as such based on your own experience and ability to judge, and then you take that decision for granted unless either you change your mind, or they give you a reason to.

my cats(past,present)r the 0nly Friends i had/have,on the planet. ppl r all so scared,or judge you,r haters,etc,etc....it gets immensly fustrating.