Buddies, Pals, Acquaintances, Colleagues, Friends; You Get The Gist.

Ever sat down to think deeply about platonic relationships?

Platonic relationships seem to have so many facets, we have buddies, pals, acquaintances, colleagues, and so many other levels and ways to describe these relationships. So why do people get angry when you do not consider them friends? A serious puzzle. Apparently, it is ‘wrong’ to consider a person you met two days ago in class an acquaintance, or even simply a classmate. I do not accept o. But apparently, in the unwritten social rulebook, once you've exchanged a few laughs or worked on the same assignment, you’re now friends.

Not every connection needs to come with deep emotional ties. We define our relationships we have with other people, not society, not vibes, not pressure. No one decides for us. Why should anyone decide for us? If you ever feel guilty for setting boundaries around who you call a friend, please don’t. It’s not a crime to be intentional about your relationships. Just as you respect others’ definitions of closeness, yours should be respected too. So set your boundaries without feeling bad, and respect the boundaries of others too.

That said, whether someone is your friend, your pals, your colleagues, or acquaintances, one thing remains true: kindness costs nothing. You don’t have to be besties with someone to brighten their day. So go ahead, be a light to all your buddies, and pals, and colleagues, and... But also, stand firm on your boundaries.

Alexander from MANI