How to Maintain Your Friendships With Courtesy

Respect your friends and you'll keep them.

Whether your friends are people from your past or new to your life, it's always a good idea to do what you can to hang onto them. You can never have too many friends. Being respectful, courteous and polite to your friends will help keep your friendships intact, hopefully for a long time to come.

Instructions

1. Respect your friends' and neighbors' privacy and time. Do not show up at their doorstep without calling first unless it's an emergency. Make plans with them ahead of time.

2. Be tactful and think before you speak. Consider their feelings -- an offhand remark such as "Your hair looks uncombed today" can be hurtful to them.

3. Be a loyal friend. Let your friends know that you are there for them and that they can count on you to lean on in all kinds of situations when they need support. Likewise, when you need support, ask them for their help too.

4. Keep track of birthdays and anniversaries, and remember to send cards or gifts during these special occasions. Be a giver as well as a receiver.

5. Don't make negative statements about a friend's spouse, children, relatives, pets, decorating, weight or age. Remember the old adage, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all."

6. Don't overburden your friends with constant complaining about your problems. They have enough of their own to deal with. Try to keep it positive as much as possible.

7. Don't take your friends for granted, as you would not like it if they took you for granted.

8. Be respectful of your friend's time. That means not answering your cell phone while you're having lunch with your friend. Give your friend your full attention.

References

• MagforWomen.com: 5 Ways to Maintain Friendship and Nurture a Lifelong Relationship With Your Friends