What is meant【51】the word "friend"？ The dictionary【52】it as: "one attached to【53】by affection or esteem". Americans use the word freely -- that is, a friend may or may not be a person【54】whom there is a great attachment. A friend might be a casual acquaintance or an intimate companion. Friends may have known each other【55】childhood or they may have recently met. It is difficult to formulate a precise【56】of this word as it is used in the United States,【57】it cover many types of relationships. "My friend and I went to the show last night." "My friends gave me the name of a good doctor." "My friend consoled me when I was depressed." We hear such daily references【58】the word "friend" without knowing the quality of the friendship referred to.
It is common for Americans to have different "circles of friends" such【59】church friends, work friends, or sports friends. A person may choose not to involve members of different circles【60】the same activity. (One's friends from the office may never meet one's friends from the sports club.)【61】such as "office mate" and "tennis partner"【62】the segregation of friends. The office mate is a friend in the office and the tennis partner is a friend【63】the courts. People have different types of friends: one may have many good friends and one best friend. "Best friends" are usually two people of the same sex who have known each other【64】a long period of time. People usually have more casual friends than close or best friends.
Americans are geographically mobile and learn to【65】friendships easily and quickly. Approximately one【66】of every five American families moves every year. People relocate【67】they begin new jobs,【68】distant colleges, get married, have chidren or simply want a change in their lives. Perhaps as a consequence of this, people form. and【69】friendships quickly. Students attending two or three universities during their undergraduate and graduate years may【70】their circles of friends several times.
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