MadMup.com

I think I’ve hit on the secret to great friendships. No, not what you’re thinking – I haven’t discovered the secret to gaining or maintaining great friendships, I think I’ve hit on one of the signs of great friendships.

I’m willing to help people out all the time – call me up when you have run out of gas, because I’ll be there with a can full as soon as I can. Lock your keys in your car an hour away from here? No problem, I’ll get your extra set and be there in an hour. If I could be a superhero, I’d want to be “Favor Guy.” It’s what I like to do. I really, really like it.

But I don’t think that’s the sign of a great friendship. As much as I would like it to be, I don’t think it is. In fact, I think the opposite is true.

You know you’re in a great friendship when you feel comfortable asking for favors. When you get to the point where you don’t mind asking your friend for help because you know that they don’t mind helping – that’s a great friendship. Please don’t call me and start the conversation with “I really hate/hesitate to ask you this, but…” I much prefer “Hey, I need some help doing ___________. Can you help?”

Maybe I’m not getting those kind of calls because I’m not the friend I thought I was. That kind of rots. Hmm. Phooey.