I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. –Maya Angelou
A friend respects your boundaries – when you say, “no thank you”, they don’t push the issue. They respect your confidences. When you say, “it’s just between us”, it remains “just between us”. A friend may not agree with your values or beliefs, but when you “color outside the lines” they let it be. While good natured teasing is a part of friendship, they do not make snarky comments, take “pot shots” or ridicule. If they do, a snappy comeback might be: “Are you poking fun or just poking?” A friend respects your family and your partner – at least enough to lend a sympathetic ear and not disparage them in your presence. They respect you (and your finances) enough to modify where you go and what you do and what you eat and drink together and don’t judge. In other words, in their presence, you feel safe, accepted and valued.