10 (11) Ways to Be An Amazing Friend
1. Don't announce/exploit/tease about someone's obvious weakness. Chances are they already know and are embarrassed about it, and may even be trying to change it. If you think they aren't aware, get them alone and mention it in a caring, not snarky fashion.
2. If you truly consider someone important to you, don't wait until you run into someone at a convention to initiate contact. Take five minutes and send them a message on a social platform or if you REALLY want to be awesome, send them an email. Be silly, pour your heart out, whatever.
3. Learn how to listen when you know someone needs to talk, even if they're just venting. On top of that, learn how to tell when someone just wants you to listen versus when they want advice.
4. If a good friend really needs your help, don't look for an excuse. This goes double if it's something relatively simple but slightly inconvenient for you. You'll likely need help at some point and good friends will remember who they can count on.
5. Ask them questions about themselves, their feelings, thoughts, life. Be honestly interested in the answers. It feels good when someone shows a genuine interest in more than just the most obvious everyday parts of you.
6. When you have a conflict, take just enough time to make sure you're calm and talk to them about it. Don't repress it and seethe for days or weeks secretly, or sarcastically complain to other friends about it. When you talk about it try to be honest without being accusatory or aggressive. Explain how you feel and then listen to the response. Treat someone like you'd want to be treated if the situation was the opposite. Most problems are either caused or exacerbated by poor communication, or lack of it.
7. Be thoughtful. Get or even make someone a little fun gift. It doesn't need to be costly or cost anything at all - things you create yourself will almost always have more sentimental value, even when they're simple. Leave them a cute note someplace they'll find later. Do someone a small favor without them asking. Show them that you really pay attention to them.
8. Be available and supportive when bad things happen, but also even when someone's just having an off day. Being kind to someone even when they're short tempered can be challenging, but sometimes it doesn't take more than a hug and "I'm sorry you're having a lousy day." to make a big difference.
9. Constructive criticism can be useful, but may often feel like an insult if not expressed carefully. People will be more willing to listen if they feel like someone is trying to help them rather than judge them. Likewise, give compliments when you have reason to. Don't be false, but be as specific as you can so people will have less reason to question your motivation.
10. Be self-aware. Know your own strengths and weaknesses, and try to better yourself as a person. Everyone has flaws, but the best people work to overcome them. Your ability to be honest and insightful about yourself will often affect how much others take your opinions into account.
11. (BONUS) Sneakily put on a fursuit and surprise them with a big hug and/or cuddles. This goes double if they are having a lousy day.
2. If you truly consider someone important to you, don't wait until you run into someone at a convention to initiate contact. Take five minutes and send them a message on a social platform or if you REALLY want to be awesome, send them an email. Be silly, pour your heart out, whatever.
3. Learn how to listen when you know someone needs to talk, even if they're just venting. On top of that, learn how to tell when someone just wants you to listen versus when they want advice.
4. If a good friend really needs your help, don't look for an excuse. This goes double if it's something relatively simple but slightly inconvenient for you. You'll likely need help at some point and good friends will remember who they can count on.
5. Ask them questions about themselves, their feelings, thoughts, life. Be honestly interested in the answers. It feels good when someone shows a genuine interest in more than just the most obvious everyday parts of you.
6. When you have a conflict, take just enough time to make sure you're calm and talk to them about it. Don't repress it and seethe for days or weeks secretly, or sarcastically complain to other friends about it. When you talk about it try to be honest without being accusatory or aggressive. Explain how you feel and then listen to the response. Treat someone like you'd want to be treated if the situation was the opposite. Most problems are either caused or exacerbated by poor communication, or lack of it.
7. Be thoughtful. Get or even make someone a little fun gift. It doesn't need to be costly or cost anything at all - things you create yourself will almost always have more sentimental value, even when they're simple. Leave them a cute note someplace they'll find later. Do someone a small favor without them asking. Show them that you really pay attention to them.
8. Be available and supportive when bad things happen, but also even when someone's just having an off day. Being kind to someone even when they're short tempered can be challenging, but sometimes it doesn't take more than a hug and "I'm sorry you're having a lousy day." to make a big difference.
9. Constructive criticism can be useful, but may often feel like an insult if not expressed carefully. People will be more willing to listen if they feel like someone is trying to help them rather than judge them. Likewise, give compliments when you have reason to. Don't be false, but be as specific as you can so people will have less reason to question your motivation.
10. Be self-aware. Know your own strengths and weaknesses, and try to better yourself as a person. Everyone has flaws, but the best people work to overcome them. Your ability to be honest and insightful about yourself will often affect how much others take your opinions into account.
11. (BONUS) Sneakily put on a fursuit and surprise them with a big hug and/or cuddles. This goes double if they are having a lousy day.