According to new research, it takes four years of getting to know someone before he or she can be considered a "best" friend.
A survey of 2,000 Americans found that the average respondent must have four different personal experiences with a friend before he or she can qualify him or her as a best friend.
One in three say they have to go on holiday with a boyfriend or girlfriend before they can be labeled a 'best' friend, while another one in five have to share clothes first.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf ofPrevent,intended to reveal what friendship means to Americans – and revealed that two in five must have a life-changing experience with a friend before they can upgrade them to a “best” friend.
There are certain milestones that must be met before a friend can become a best friend — from experiencing a breakup (32 percent) and doing something spontaneous together (28 percent), to texting each other at least once a day (27 percent ) and staying up until the early morning just chatting (25 percent).
The results showed that Americans would do almost anything for their best interests, including traveling across the country (42 percent) and keeping their secrets (36 percent).
A third would lie to them, while another 24 percent would miss work just to interact with them.
But that's not all Americans are willing to do for a best friend.
43 percent would bail their best friend out of jail, while a quarter (25 percent) would actually take their place in prison.
The survey also found that nearly half (49 percent) of Americans have made friends through a partner – an average of three.
But what happens when people break up with a partner who previously introduced them to a new boyfriend? Three out of four say their friendships can survive the awkwardness of the breakup, and more than half say they actually steal their partner's friend.
The reason behind keeping these friends? 56 percent say they share interests with this friend, while 54 percent reveal that they have become closer to this friend than their partner originally was.
But Americans don't just make friends through their partners; many make friends in the office. Of those who are employed, 56 percent say they knew they had made a friend at work when they found themselves communicating with their colleague outside the office about matters unrelated to their work.
Nearly half (49 percent) of working respondents said they knew they had made a good friend at work when they discussed their personal lives every day, while another 43 percent knew their colleague became a friend when they exchanged phone numbers .
“Friendships can be formed anywhere, but entering BFF territory takes time and sharing experiences together,” says Zaria Zinn, Celebration Expert at Evite.
“It is through these face-to-face bonding experiences that we build trust in each other and improve both our own well-being and that of those around us. Good relationships keep you happy, healthy and, research shows, can get you out of jail one day.
While the average American currently has three best friends, they are also juggling three different friend groups at once.
And according to the results, they don't like their friend groups mixing; almost seven in ten respondents said they actively oppose interaction between different groups.
Of those who avoid mixing friend groups, 56 percent say it is because they behave differently when they are around different friend groups, which can lead to awkwardness when they are together.
Another 53 percent say they worry about what the groups will say to each other, and another 47 percent worry that one group of friends will reveal a secret about them to the other group.
But for men and women, juggling friendships is handled differently. Compared to women, men are more likely to consider inviting friends to every party they have and going out to eat with friends at least once a day, as this is significantly more important for maintaining their friendships.
A quarter (25 percent) of men surveyed also said they value the “best friendship” of sharing clothes, compared to just 16 percent of female respondents.
Men also value keeping secrets more than women. Forty-one percent of men surveyed said they highly value a friend who can keep a secret, compared to just 30 percent of women surveyed.
And men had also celebrated a 'girlfriend' more often than women.
“Mixing groups of friends doesn't have to be scary; In fact, we encourage it,” Zinn said. “Meeting new people may seem awkward at first for your friends, but they all have one thing in common: you!
"If you're still hesitant, I suggest you merge friend groups into an event focused on celebrating you, such as a birthday party or a work promotion celebration. Instead of focusing on the differences between your friend groups, focus you notice the aspects that make them similar and bring them up when you introduce them to each other.
"You could introduce someone to their new best friend."
Top 10 Things Americans Have to Go Through with a Boyfriend Before They Become Best Friends
- Experiencing a traumatic experience: 40 percent
- Going on holiday: 34 percent
- Road tripping together: 34 percent
- Telephoning: 33 percent
- Showing loyalty/supporting each other: 32 percent
- Ask/give advice: 29 percent
- Doing something spontaneous together: 28 percent
- Texting at least once a day: 27 percent
- Invite them to every party you throw: 25 percent
- Stay up until the early hours just chatting: 25 percent
Top 10 Things Americans Would Be Willing to Do for Their Best Friend
- Rescue them from prison: 43 percent
- Travel across the country: 42 percent
- Keep their secret(s): 35 percent
- Lie to them: 33 percent
- Staying awake all night: 27 percent
- Spend more on a gift than anyone else: 26 percent
- Taking their place in prison: 25 percent
- Willing to drive insanely long hours: 25 percent
- Missing work to spend time with them: 24 percent
- Moving to another state: 23 percent
Top 10 pop culture groups that americans friend groups relate to
- Friends
- Seinfeld
- New girl
- The Avengers
- Gilmore Girls
- Girls
- Golden girls
- Sex and the city
- The office
- Stay with me
