What is the most important thing that makes you feel connected to your friends?

A friend is someone who knows everything about you – and still likes you.

An excellent line of communication between friends, among other things, is what I consider to be an important and necessary foundation for solid connections to them. This would apply to both online and in face-to-face interactions.

@Bluefreedom What do you mean?

@Bluefreedom Yeah, can you elaborate?

@youngwebmaster Hey, stop that swearing!

Unconditional love and respect. I have to have that from my close friends in order to feel connected. I’m not really sure how that would work in “digital form” as you put it, but my instinct would be to say that it would be more difficult. I’m always very in tune with the emotions and energy of the people around me, so talking to someone online creates a barrier for picking up that energy.

@Zen and @youngwebmaster. Communication is vital to any relationship whether it be with friends, a spouse, family members, or whomever else you might be close to. Being able to sit down and talk about anything with little or no effort demonstrates (at least to me) that you are comfortable and happy with your connection to someone and that your relationship with them is a meaningful one.

Obviously there are several other factors that contribute to the overall make up of a friendship but I’ve always been of the opinion that if solid communication is significantly lacking, it’s going to hurt the relationship.

Even if the following two sayings below sound contradictory to what I’ve written above, they’re really not. Read them over a couple of times and their meanings will become very clear as it applies to good communication between friends.
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Everyone hears what you say.
Friends listen to what you say.
Best friends listen to what you don’t say.
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The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you’ve ever had.

@Bluefreedom A friend will help you move. A best friend will help you move a body.

That we accept each other differences and appreciate the uniqueness of human beings.

A friend is a person who knows absolutely everything about you and still loves you and doesnt judge.

Evrul.

Someone who makes you laugh, and gives you a shoulder to lean on when you need it, I don’t believe this can only be done face to face, a real friend wouldn’t care about distance.

I feel close to a person and considering a dear friend when I can turn to them at times when I need them most. When they are there for me in my hardest times, and I am there for theirs.

Also someone who can make me laugh and smile and is fun to spend time with. Someone who doesn’t make it a egg hunt just to find out when we are going to meet up.

coffee and marlboro lights…

Smoking.

Oh and open-mindedness.

I think shared points of view and points of reference help make me feel connected to my friends. Now don’t misunderstand me to say that we should agree on everything. That would be boring. But birds of a feather definitely do flock together.

When you’re smashed under a big pile of crap, they’re there to pull you out or at least be with you until help arrives.

Sharing memories.

seeing each other naked

My best friend and I are completely different in a “shallow” aspect – appearance, fashion, income, favorite foods & colors – but we are deeply similar concerning morals, goals, outlook, advice, and humor.

Knowing where stuff is in their house.