Friendship vs Relationship
As human beings, we make various acquaintances and friends and enter into different relationships through marriage, family, or simply falling in love. We are social creatures and cannot remain isolated from others. Consequently, we often engage in conversations with people at school, the workplace, or even on a train or bus. However, despite talking and interacting with many people, we form few friendships and even fewer relationships. Friendship is a close bond between two or more people where mutual affection exists. On the other hand, a relationship is a concept that can be confusing due to its similarities to friendship, but it has some differences. There are casual relationships and strong relationships based on love and trust between individuals. In this article, we will examine the differences between friendship and relationships.
Friendship
A person can have numerous friends without necessarily having strong feelings of the same intensity for all of them. Friendship arises from a feeling of affection that one has for another person. It often starts as an acquaintance and slowly develops into a friendship without one consciously thinking about the relationship. If we consider a continuum, acquaintance is at the left extreme, followed by friendship, with the relationship at the far right. Friendship is a bond that has existed since time immemorial, and its effects can be felt from an early age when toddlers form friendships based on their nature and preferences.
Friendship begins with a liking for another person, which may be due to their appearance or nature. Regardless of the reason, friendship is forged when there are feelings of sympathy, empathy, compassion, trust, faith, understanding, and reciprocity. One tends to feel comfortable in the company of another person and enjoys spending time with them, which is when friendship is said to have formed. When you realize that the other person is not judgmental and treats you at face value, you feel attracted to them.
In most cultures, specific behaviors indicate mutual friendship, such as holding hands, kissing each other on the cheeks, exchanging bracelets, and giving friendship bands. In friendship, feelings and emotions play a significant role, and it can be asexual or sexual.
Relationship
The term “relationship” typically brings to mind images of child and parent, worker and boss, or boy and girl, among other pairs. However, in the context of this article, we will discuss the relationship between a man and a woman.
A relationship is a term that indicates that two people are more than just friends. It could be a casual relationship, known as dating, or a serious relationship that eventually becomes very emotional and physical. There is also a term called a romantic relationship, which is more formal and indicative of mutual love and understanding between a couple. Whether or not there is sex involved, a relationship always has an emotional aspect that governs the terms between the pair. A relationship brings enjoyment and pleasure for both individuals but also entails responsibility. A relationship remains joyful as long as it does not become too demanding, which is when partners feel suffocated and decide to separate.
Key Takeaways
- Relationships are a type of friendship that is emotionally stronger.
- Relationships can be casual or formal, and they could be romantic or physical.
- Relationships can be more demanding than friendships, and love may or may not be a part of friendship.
