Friends. They’re not like they are in the sitcom, but I’m sure you knew that already. I’ve never had a friendship I’ve not lost, either through our own incompatibility or losing touch. And really, I’m not the kind of person who’s easy to like. As the song said, a rock feels no pain and an island never cries.
I often wonder why people need close friendships. Is it the fear of being alone and thus ceasing to exist? No, I don’t believe the human race is connected together to that degree. Is it the need to appear to be popular and thus more likely to attract a mate? Possibly some truth in that, but there are too many instances of people ditching their friends once a really good shag comes along.
No, I believe it’s instinctual and evolved behaviour. When you’re huddled in a cave with your tribal group of 150 or so, full of people who are your rivals for food and sex then you need people who you can trust to watch your back. Otherwise it may mysteriously end up with a flint arrowhead in it. But of course, people being what they are, the “friend” may well be the one who ends up firing the arrow. Sad to say, this is probably the reason humans are as intelligent as they appear to be – the need to detect deception in the other greedy, selfish apes you’re forced to share the planet with.
Friends are mostly not worth it. We may not live in caves or spend our time flint knapping in the 21st Century, but people are as avaricious and duplicitous as ever. There’s no friendship that a person wouldn’t ditch for enough personal gain, and despite what they say a friend in need is reckoned to be a pain in the arse. Basically humanity runs on this – I will be your friend, as long as it’s both advantageous and convenient for me.
So remember what you read on the back of that articulated truck – Keep Your Distance. It’s a good idea to be friendly with people – after all, life is much easier when neither you nor others are rude to each other. But always watch and always learn. Things can turn before you can even begin to realise the implications. Have friendly acquaintances, but no “close friends”. It’s dangerous. I’m not saying it will always turn out badly, but with people the way they are, there’s a very good chance it might.
If you won’t protect yourself, who will?
It’s nice to know you care.
What can I say? I’m the world’s most heartless bastard.