Communication key to lasting friendships
Late-night chatting with friends can lead to some interesting conversations.
I recently spent half the night talking with an old friend.
We played “The Question Game,” a game we invented our freshman year of college. It’s a game where we ask each other questions about certain topics that may not come up in normal conversation.
Then we answer them honestly as possible.
The game is a way for us to stay in tune with each other’s lives no matter the distance between us. We have been best friends since high school and have endured our share of ups and downs, but our friendship stays alive by opening up to each other about basically anything.
Our latest talk ranged from favorite colors to annoying traits. I learned his favorite color to wear is brown; he can read what I’m feeling through my eyes; and that although he enjoys my laugh, I laugh too often, making it impossible to tell when I’m being serious or joking around.
I’ve been thinking about his comment and realize that I do laugh a lot and make light of many serious issues. I think I giggle uncontrollably when I’m nervous. For instance, when my friend crashed my motor scooter into a tree, I was so scared that all my emotions bubbled up into giggles mixed with tears.
When he asked what his biggest downfall was. I told him he never admits when he is wrong. He thought about it and agreed that he does like to be right and is willing to put up a fight to defend his opinion. I know this firsthand, since we have had many battles over the most trivial issues.
After three hours of talking, we agreed that our friendship would have been so much stronger in high school if we had been able to really talk to each other.
As I get older, I am realizing how important communication is in any type of relationship.
True friends are able to tell each other how they truly feel without risking the entire friendship.