The 12 types of friends: what are yours like?

There can be many types of friends, but good friends there are few. Throughout our lives we meet many people and make many friends, but as the years go by we lose contact with some of them and meet new people.

The friendship of a person is a precious gift that life gives you, and they say that Who have a friend, have a treasure. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to realize that, who we thought was our friend, was not really there when we needed him. And of course, it is in those moments of difficulty when you really realize who loves you and who is going to be there to help you through the hard time.

New technologies have changed the way we relate

In the last decades, the way we relate to each other has radically changed. If before we made face-to-face friendships, now it is possible to make good friends without ever having seen that someone in person. In fact, we are able to make friends in different parts of the world, something unthinkable just a few years ago.

It is also true that, in this way, we can make many friendships that are superficial, and on many occasions we cannot even consider them friends. Having thousands of Facebook contacts does not mean that we have many friends, because true friends are few.

The types of friends there are

But are all friends the same? The truth is that no. Then We explain the different types of friends that exist, and their main characteristics.

1. Friend with benefits

The friends with benefits or Friends with benefits are those friends for whom, in addition to friendship, there is physical attraction. It usually occurs between heterosexuals and homosexuals. Friends with rights can end up being a couple. But in case you don't want anything serious with the other person, the ideal is that the limits are clear because the friendship relationship can end badly.

2. Toxic friend

The toxic friends They are those with whom there is no balance, that is, you give but they do not, they do not support you for being who you areThey tend to disappoint you very often, and you often notice how they have a somewhat "peculiar" way of understanding friendship. In the long run, toxic friends cause suffering. Therefore, it is best to stay away from them if you have any.

To find out if you also have toxic friends in your life, read our article: “Toxic friendships: 7 signs to spot a bad friend”

3. Close friend

The Close friend it is the one with whom you can trust whatever happens and tell him your intimacies. You trust him and you know he won't let you down. Thanks to the level of intimacy you have with close friends, they can be of great help when you are having a hard time.

4. Imaginary friend

The imaginary friend usually occurs in children and, in some cases, in people who suffer mental disorders. Children who visualize these types of friendships often have emotional problems or self esteem issues. In the case of adults, they may suffer schizophrenia.

5. Virtual friend

These kinds of friends, virtual friends, are characterized because we know them in a virtual environment, For example, through chats, forums, social networks such as Facebook or applications such as Tinder or Badoo. Sometimes, these friends can become close friends and even friends with rights.

6. False friend (or interested friend)

The Fake friendsThey are characterized by being interested, either for your money, your vehicle or whatever reason. They differ from toxic friends because the latter can be lifelong friends and do not have to be interested. Your personalities just might not match and it eventually turns into a toxic and destructive friendship.

Know more: "The 6 signs to detect a false friend"

7. Childhood friend

The Childhood friend it is that friend with whom you have spent great moments since you were little. He has seen you grow and, in fact, you have grown together. The distance may separate you, but it will always be there like the first day, noticing your love and attention.

8. Best friend

The best friend it is that person with whom you share absolutely everything and whom you love almost the same as your partner. It may have been your childhood friend or you may have met him at another time in your life, but there is chemistry between you and there is something very strong that unites you. He is like a brother to you and is there in good times and bad.

9. Protective friend

The protective friend he is the one who is like your father, a kind of stalwart bodyguard. This type of friend is usually made by women, because, sometimes, the male friend behaves as if he had a father's role. Sometimes she can behave like this because she likes his friend.

10. Party friend

To the party friendYou only meet it when you go out, but it seems that you have known each other forever. You have a good time together, but when the night is over you neither see him again nor call you. You usually have him on Facebook but he doesn't talk to you, unless he needs a party partner that night because he has been dumped.

11. Family's friend

A somewhat undefined category. The family friendsse consider friendships shared by all members of a family. This can be understood as a way that no member of the family wants to take responsibility for that friendship... In any case, when it is a friend dear to the family en bloc, it is usually a good companion for parties, weekends and barbecues. It is as if he were, practically, one more member of the family.

12. Intermittent friend

The friend or intermittent friend it is seen very from time to time. Their friendship seems to live great ups and downs: you have been stuck for a long time, and suddenly it disappears for months... or even years. Anyway, they are grateful friends, because whenever you meet again you resume the relationship as if time had not passed.