Good day, question asker. My name is Evan.
There is no universal definition of a friend. Some friendships are based on incompatible personalities, while others are founded on differences in nature. A true friend is someone who can empathize with the questioner and consider their perspective. Based on the questioner's description, it appears that the questioner and this classmate are in a passive role, with the questioner often expected to fulfill emotional needs or ideas.
If you consistently meet the needs of another individual to the point of excess, they will come to view this as the norm. What they perceive as beneficial is, in fact, a romantic notion. The questioner fulfills the needs of their classmate, but they are unable to meet their own emotional needs through this relationship, leading to fatigue.
In the event of a dispute, it is the responsibility of the host to take the initiative and back down. Without some useful interaction, it will undoubtedly lead to fatigue. How to deal with this friendship requires careful self-reflection by the host, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Show your questioner some encouragement and support. How can you determine if your colleague is a valuable professional contact?
What is the best way to proceed with this friendship? I will offer some advice to the original poster.
It would be beneficial to examine this friendship in more detail.
There are various types of friends. Some are helpful, some are ordinary, and some may even be considered false.
As Confucius said in the Analects, there are three types of friends who are beneficial, and three who are harmful. Those who are straightforward, forgiving, and well-read are beneficial.
"A friend who is fawning, obsequious, and deceitful is harmful." The meaning is that there are three kinds of friends that are beneficial, and three kinds of friends that are harmful.
It is advantageous to cultivate relationships with individuals who exemplify upright character, possess integrity, and demonstrate extensive knowledge. Conversely, it is disadvantageous to form alliances with those who engage in sycophancy, engage in flattery but harbor negative sentiments, and are adept at persuasion through charm.
"
The questioner can assess the relationship between themselves and their friends and consider the benefits that their friendship has brought them.
A true friend has many additional characteristics beyond those mentioned in the Analects.
While friends may not always provide the feedback you desire, they are willing to listen when you are facing challenges.
In the presence of friends, one feels relaxed and is able to be oneself.
Friends will provide support when needed.
Friends maintain consistent communication, not just when they require assistance.
Friendships encompass both positive and negative experiences.
Friends are concerned about your well-being and your personal safety.
Your ideas will be respected by your colleagues.
Determine whether the relationship is worth maintaining.
As previously stated, there are both beneficial and detrimental relationships. How, then, can one ascertain the nature of a relationship and determine its value?
Consider whether this individual seeks something from you when you are together. A problematic associate may:
The individual may engage in behind-the-back communication.
Use you to advance their position on a particular social ladder.
Use you to gain proximity to an individual with whom you have a connection.
Copy your homework or use your expertise.
They may also be seeking information from you.
They will only contact you when they require something from you.
It is recommended that you test the strength of the friendship.
To test the strength of the friendship, consider asking the classmate to assist with a task or to confide in her about your difficulties.
Observe her response to your needs and assess whether she is helpful or uncooperative. A genuine friend will offer assistance when you are in need.
Regardless of the circumstances, a strong friendship will remain intact. Friends enjoy spending time together and having fun together.
When a plan is made with a colleague and then altered, how will the colleague react? For example, if a plan is made to go to the movies together, but something comes up at the last minute, how will the colleague react? If the colleague thinks that the decision to give up spending time with them for someone else is foolish, then it's time to consider how to move forward with this relationship.
It is important to be aware of the potential for jealousy to impact the dynamics of a friendship.
Jealousy can have a detrimental impact on the dynamics of a friendship, particularly when there is a desire to gain proximity to the individual in question. It is crucial for genuine friends to overcome their initial feelings of envy and prioritize the bond of friendship above all else.
The following are indications of jealousy:
1. Your colleagues never celebrate your achievements, and sometimes instead of offering congratulations, they find fault with you.
2. Your colleague will start to distance themselves from you, and you can feel the "negative energy" from them, even when you are in a difficult situation, they only consider their own position.
Maintain a professional distance.
If your current colleagues make you feel uncomfortable, they often assert themselves and demand that you listen to them. In such cases, it may be advisable to maintain a certain distance from your current associates.
If the other party consistently leverages your friendship to request certain actions, you may consider politely declining, citing your current academic focus and limited availability for other commitments. You can also tactfully decline some of your friend's requests that may be outside the scope of your current responsibilities.
If your current relationship with your colleague makes you uncomfortable, you may wish to consider reducing your contact with them. This will allow you to create some distance, avoid unnecessary conflict and prevent any undue pressure from their behaviour. It is important to avoid ignoring or avoiding contact with them entirely.
Such behavior is unprofessional and may result in the disgruntled individual engaging in negative discourse about you in the presence of mutual acquaintances.
It is often the case that we cannot ascertain the thoughts of others. However, we can certainly invest more time in our positive relationships, those that bring us happiness, relaxation, and tolerance. Ultimately, the decision to continue or end a friendship is up to the individual. While forming a friendship is not a simple process, ending it should not be taken lightly.
It would be prudent to terminate the relationship only when you are certain that the other party is engaging in hypocritical behavior.
I hope this information is helpful to you.
Comments
I can totally relate to feeling overwhelmed by a friend's behavior. It sounds like you're dealing with a lot from A. I'd want to set some boundaries for myself and maybe talk to her about how her actions make me feel.
It seems like A might not realize the impact of her actions. Maybe it's time to have an honest conversation with her. You deserve to feel comfortable around your friends, and she should respect that.
Wow, it sounds really tough. Perhaps you could gently tell A that her jokes and actions are making you uncomfortable. Friends should support each other, not cause stress.
This situation with A is quite complex. It might help to express your feelings clearly and calmly. Letting her know what specifically bothers you could be a good start to improving things.
It sounds exhausting dealing with A's behavior. Setting boundaries and talking openly about your feelings might help. If that doesn't work, it might be worth considering distancing yourself a bit for your own wellbeing.