"You have very few friends in life, and those who say they're your
friends--many of them are not your friends." Mayor Daley in an
interview quoted.
There are friends with a little "f" and friends with a big "F."
The first is a large group with sloppy admission standards, the other
an elite, time-tested crew.
W H A T ' S T H E D I F F E R E N C E ?
A little "f" friend: identifies themselves when they call.
A big "F" Friend: doesn't have to.
A little "f" friend: opens a conversation with a full news bulletin
on their life.
A big "F" Friend: says, "What's new with you?"
A little "f" friend: thinks the problems you whine about are recent.
A big "F" Friend: says, "You've been whining about the same thing
for 14 years. Get off your duff and do something about it."
A little "f" friend: has never seen you cry.
A big "F" Friend: has shoulders soggy from your tears.
A little "f" friend: knows almost nothing about your family.
A big "F" Friend: knows the medical history, dietary habits and
marital troubles of everyone on your tree.
A little "f" friend: calls you at 10 p.m. just to chat.
A big "F" Friend: knows you hate to be called after 9 p.m.
A little "f" friend: wonders about your romantic history.
A big "F" Friend: could blackmail you with it.
A little "f" friend: when visiting, they act like a guest.
A big "F" Friend: when visiting, they open your refrigerator, put
they're feet on the sofa, talk back to your spouse and reprimand your
children.
A little "f" friend: thinks the friendship is over when you argue.
A big "F" Friend: knows that a friendship's not a friendship until
you've had a fight.
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