It’s a multi-step process, actually. I’ll divide it into Before, During, After, and Throughout.
Before
- Be friends. Let simmer for at least three months, but ideally six.
- Treat your friends and their friends well.
- Sprinkle good experiences throughout.
During
- Don’t cheat.
- Don’t lie.
- Don’t steal.
- Don’t abuse physically/mentally.
- Say what you mean, mean what you say.
- Don’t leave any feelings of hurt linger.
After
- Break up amicably and don’t backslide.
- Don’t move on until at least enough time has passed that they don’t feel used and devalued.
- Don’t ask them for help with a new relationship unless it has been at least half-the-length of your relationship since they have moved on.
- Don’t behave in
- Don’t drunk dial.
- Give them time to move on in their own way.
Throughout
- Enjoy each other’s company
- Admit responsibility where it is due
- Be honest and trustworthy.
- Be a worthwhile person.
If you do each step well and at the right time, then it will happen naturally. If you fail, you should probably make do with whatever other friends you do have.
What splendid bizzaro world do you live upon where such a thing is possible?
I was being hypothetical. I mean, it’s obviously not. But if it were, these would be some of the things you’d have to do.
I think it’s splendid advice.