As a result of having to deal with a few people who were self centered, self serving and perfectly willing to do whatever they had to do to get what they wanted, even at the expense of those they called their friend, I've developed a growing self-consciousness about the impression I give. I don't want to be those people and I often question whether or not I'm a decent friend. So what do you think makes a good or bad friend?

I actually say it depends on the type of person you are and how you approach things really. I mean anything can happen with that which is why most people might be skeptical towards people if they try and be their friend. I mean its nice to have friends. But, people have their own preferences of what a friend can be good or bad. Everyone has their own opinions based on that. So everyone won't always be right. What makes a good friend is someone willing to be honest with someone and to understand their opinions as well. And learn how their friends can be so that they would know them very well and not to assume them. Because that's it really. When a friend judges and assumes their friend for something that they didn't do. Or to try and to understand it makes you a bad friend in a way instead of confronting and asking, that friend of something that you want to know. The last thing a friend want is their friends judge, and assume them wrongly for no reason. If you keep up a good basics bond that friendship will grow very stronger for many years. Since there can be friends who have a fall out one reason or the other. That's why not a lot of people would want friends because they can easily betray them and not say why. Its just how the world can be....if you are willing to make a good friendship with that person since having a fight you may had with them. Then that is being mature and helping you to grow more towards that. 

A good friend, in my opinion, is someone who is there for you when you need them. I've had a lot of "friends" that were not there when I needed it most. Good friends also keep secrets. I'll admit, I haven't been the best at this, but I feel like I'm getting better. A good friend is also someone who will not judge you negatively for being different from them.

A bad friend is someone who is only in it for their benefit. They come to you with their problems and disappear when you have one. Bad friends encourage you to do stuff that isn't necessarily beneficial to you as a human being. And most importantly, bad friends negatively affect your life in some way.

A good friend isn't necessarily always there. I mean, who could be? We all have shortcomings. A good friend is someone who tries their best to *be* a friend. To be someone who lifts you up as well as they can. I've found that doing what someone I'm trying to be a friend to wants isn't always a good idea. My brother, for example, is disobedient at times and tries to pit our family against each other to get something for himself. He may be a child, but teaching him to disobey by encouraging or allowing certain bad behavior only causes greater headaches for everyone in the family. I'm not sure I'm anyone's "best friend", but I try to be a good one. The best friend isn't always the most liked person.

I think a good friend is mostly made by how much they're willing to give up their time for you, and that they care about you more than themselves. Good friends should have the desire to hang out (or just talk) with their friends often and should ask you about how you're doing.

They should try to focus on not making the conversation too much about themselves and listen more than they speak. They also should be OK with talking slower when you tell them they're talking too fast for you to understand them

To me, a good friend is someone I can talk with on a more personal level.
A good friend isn't afraid to point out my flaws.
A good friend is there when I need them and is gone when I want to be alone.


I don't want anyone to go out of their way to be friendly or close with me or agree with everything I say when I'm venting since it will start to look fake and if that continues then even their genuine acts of kindness will start to look fake. If I'm doing something you don't like or if I'm saying something stupid while venting then I want you to tell me. A listening ear is nice but some honest criticism is nicer.

A good friend is someone who will listen to me when I need to vent. A good friend is someone who will give me advice when I need it. A good friend is always caring for my wellbeing. A good friend will accept all of me, the good and the bad. 

A good friend will not stab me in the back like half of my former friends.

I think you pretty much nailed a bad friend in the OP.

As for a good friend, I would just say someone that is there when you most need them.