Levels of Friendship
Someone you work with in the classroom or they are friends of a friend so you happened to hang out with them for a short time.
Acquaintance
People who may cross your path, but you just go about your day when you're around them. You don't greet or have conversations with them.
Other
When you know someone will keep your secrets to themselves and not tell anyone
A friend asked you to go to the movies with them but you already made plans with your mom and your aunt. What would you do?
Let your friend know you would like to go with them another time
A close friend of yours is clearly ticked off at you, and you have no idea why. You . . .
A) ask a mutual friend what’s up.
B) pretend everything’s normal and see if her bad mood goes away.
C) find time alone with her and say, “I’ve noticed you haven’t been talking to me or Snapchatting me much lately—everything OK?”
C.
Someone you try to connect with on Facebook, or someone you ask if they want to make plan outside of school.
Evolving Friendship
Friend
Someone who has your back and stays true to you
Loyalty
Your friend asks you to steal two sodas from the convenience store because neither of you have money and you both are really thirsty. She says that she has done it before and has never been caught. You really do not want to steal the sodas. What would you do?
Tell her this is wrong and you will not do that, then leave the store.
You’ve made friends with a new kid at school and even discovered you both love making music. But your longtime friends don’t like him. You . . .
A) keep inviting him to group gatherings until they can see how great he is.
B) hang out with him when your other friends aren’t around.
C) stop talking to him—it’s really not worth it.
B.
Possible Friendship
People who may cross your path and who are friendly to you when you see them.
Acquaintance
Feeling safe around this person to be who you are and share your thoughts and feelings
Respecting others
You see a friend run into the bathroom crying. What do you do?
You were invited to the class president Jake’s birthday bash . . and your friends weren’t. They ask what you’re up to that Friday. You . . .
A) make up a family obligation.
B) say, “I’m actually going to Jake’s party that night.”
C) tell them, “I’m not sure yet” and then change the subject.
B
This is someone you have deep conversations with and spend a lot of time with. You let them know when things are bothering you.
Very Close Friendship
You share your thoughts and feelings with them. You even start to tell them personal stories about you and your family.
Friend
Dependable, Caring
You have developed a crush for someone in your school. You really want them to notice you so you decide to follow them in the hallways until they notice you and start talking to you. Is this a good idea? Why or why not?
Not a good idea. It is not expected behavior to follow someone around and may make them feel uncomfortable.
“I overheard some girls talking in the bathroom about how my friend’s body odor is super strong. I didn’t want my friend to hear it from these random people, so I gently told her what I heard. She got super offended, ran off, and now she’s not talking to me. I thought I was doing her a favor by telling her the truth. Am I the jerk?”
You are not the jerk. Friends do the right thing, even when it’s hard. Though you didn’t mean to hurt her, your friend had to deal with two painful things at once: The sting of people commenting on her body, and the shame of having an odor problem. You made the right move, but you can’t control how she reacts.
This is someone you make plans with outside of school. You talk more personally about your life and constantly seek them out to talk or spend time together.
Bonded Friendship
You speak to this person about the homework or class assignments. You may talk about how the weather is or what is for lunch.
Acquaintance
You have a different opinion on something and still can remain friends anyways
Respecting others
What should you do if a friend is mad at you and talking about you negatively?
A.) Gossip about them.
B.) Talk to them and ask them to stop.
C.) Go on Snapchat and talk badly about them.
B.