Family may be for life, but a best friend is for (at least) five days.
Imran Yusuf's recent Twittering has got me thinking about those 'simpler' times at school when Best Friend status was a tradable commodity.
"Sit by you in art?"
"Can't. Promised Jennifer I'd be her best friend this week cos she gave me her biscuit in lunch."
And that was the end of it. There might have been slight hurt feelings as previous Best Friend had not been informed of the change in status, and then had to find a last minute replacement for art class, but on the whole, this was a totally acceptable thing to do.
Biscuits were only the tip of the iceberg. "I'll be your best friend for a week if..." was a very commonplace start to conversations throughout my younger school days.
Not really sure I'd get away with it now though...
"Pint?"
"Can't. Promised Rob I'd sit at his table in the pub tonight cos he made me a cup of tea earlier."
"But we'll be in the same pub..."
"Yeah, but, you know. I promised. Plus you didn't make me tea. If anyone found out it'd get awkward and then the whole system would break down. I'm sure you understand."
"Sit by you in art?"
"Can't. Promised Jennifer I'd be her best friend this week cos she gave me her biscuit in lunch."
And that was the end of it. There might have been slight hurt feelings as previous Best Friend had not been informed of the change in status, and then had to find a last minute replacement for art class, but on the whole, this was a totally acceptable thing to do.
Biscuits were only the tip of the iceberg. "I'll be your best friend for a week if..." was a very commonplace start to conversations throughout my younger school days.
Not really sure I'd get away with it now though...
"Pint?"
"Can't. Promised Rob I'd sit at his table in the pub tonight cos he made me a cup of tea earlier."
"But we'll be in the same pub..."
"Yeah, but, you know. I promised. Plus you didn't make me tea. If anyone found out it'd get awkward and then the whole system would break down. I'm sure you understand."