A thriving society depends on friendships and connections with people. An adage says “no man is an island,” meaning you can’t do life all alone. Humans are not self-sufficient, they need communities, social interactions, and shared experiences. Therefore, in order to truly grow and improve as a person, you need others around you.
In this article, we discuss the chemistry of friendship—the way people become and remain friends, sometimes even for a lifetime.
Table of Contents
What is the Chemistry of Friendship?
Chemistry has to do with that immediate and easy connection between people, making friendship seem easy, if you’ve already known this person. Most people understand chemistry as the likeness of someone, but it is broader than that. Relationship chemistry entails emotions, indicating a given relationship has become more important and unique than other relationships.
According to Stefanie Safran, founder of Stef and the City, “Chemistry is about shared values, interests, and excitement about spending time together.” It isn’t something that usually happens instantly, but grows over time.
We can experience profitable relationships at home with family members and at work with colleagues, friends, and lovers. That doesn’t mean chemistry is involved. The chemistry of friendship has some peculiarities and should not be confused with an instant and intense attraction to someone.
Chemistry versus Friendship: Is Chemistry Important in Friendship?
Surprisingly, the initial friendship chemistry we feel doesn’t make much difference in building lasting friendships. You will agree that there were some people you liked at first, but later this feeling faded away. Also, there were others you didn’t start on a good note with, but over time you have come to love them deeply.
That confirms that friendship chemistry isn’t sufficient to establish meaningful relationships with people. Having chemistry with a person doesn’t automatically lead to friendship.
Chemistry Between Best Friends
People often see chemistry as only peculiar to romantic relationships. That is not always true. You can have great chemistry with your family or colleagues. We refer to it as that “click”, connecting people in relationships.
You can tell because you have a friend or family member you are comfortable staying with, and you are not ashamed to discuss anything with them. You don’t try to fake anything around them. That is similar to romantic chemistry. However, some casual friendships have that “click” feeling, meaning that having chemistry with someone doesn’t automatically translate to having a romantic relationship. Placetochat will help you connect with amazing personalities and build lasting relationships, whether you want to have casual chats or create long-lasting friendships.
How Important is Chemistry for a Relationship?
You cannot remove friendship chemistry from relationships as it also contributes to the progress of relationships. When there is chemistry between two people, they build a lasting relationship. They will want to stay close to each other.
It is the chemistry that keeps the connection fascinating, pleasant, and enthusiastic as time goes on. A relationship without chemistry can be tiring. Also, sincere discussions and comfortability will come effortlessly and naturally if there is chemistry.
How Do You Know There is Chemistry?
Here are the most common indicators that you’re feeling particularly good with someone:
- An intense emotional feeling when you make eye contact with someone, even without uttering a word.
- Your body language.
- comfort when together and an easy flow of communication.
- Intense emotions when around each other.
- Your attention is drawn only to each other when you are together.
- grin all the time when you are together.
Forming Friendships
Friendship is evolving from strangers to acquaintances to becoming real friends. Before building friendships, people engage in conversations to understand each other well and create the bonds that characterize genuine friendships.
On Placetochat, you can have meaningful interactions with other smart and pleasant people like you are!
Types of Friendships
According to Prof. Suzanne Degges-White, there are four core types of friendship: acquaintance, friend, close friend, and best friend.
- Acquaintance
This group of people is not difficult to classify. You can’t say they are strangers, because you meet and interact with them regularly at the gym, market, office, banks, and restaurants. But, in essence, you don’t know them.
You only know them well enough to strike up conversation with them when you meet. Acquaintances are not people you call upon when you need assistance with something.
- Friend
Your friend is a person whom you have a strong liking for and trust in. A friend offers help and support in time of need. Your friends are those you usually hang out with and interact with often.
- Close friend
When going through difficult times, you usually reach out to close friends for support and encouragement. There is a strong confidence, regard, and bond between close friends. You find it more comfortable and prefer to share your secrets with them.
- Best friend
Everyone needs a best friend in their life. This type of connection is rare. Your best friend understands you even when you don’t understand yourself. Your best friends love and care about you unconditionally. Funny enough, you may not get to talk with them daily. You don’t have to speak with your best friends often, so you can bond.
You can stay for weeks or months without connecting with your best friend. But, when you eventually meet, there is a heart-to-heart connection. It will seem like you have known each other for a long time before.
How to Initiate a Friendship with Someone
Perhaps you love to make new friends, but your problem is how to begin conversations with people. And, even when you finally do, you feel nervous and can’t sustain it. Here are some helpful tips on how to become good friends with people. On Placetochat, people find it easy to meet up and benefit from useful conversations.
- Be Approachable
Be kind and warm towards others. Don’t put up a cold or provocative disposition that will scare people away. Support people and show some concern for their problems. Let people know you care about them. That’s part of what draws others to us.
- Discover Things You Share in Common
People are easily attracted to those they share the same interests with. Find common things between you and the other person, like hobbies, beliefs, dreams, and goals.
- Don’t Be Quick to Condemn or Criticize People
Studies have shown that people who agree with others easily are more likely to experience friendship chemistry than less agreeable people. Try to understand people before making conclusions. Avoid looking at others with a negative bias. People tend to avoid toxic individuals and are easily attracted to positive individuals.
- Employ Jokes for Easy Bonding
Research has shown that people who share humorous moments can boost their closeness, even if they have only just met. The good thing here is that you don’t have to be a talented comic before you can use your sense of humor.
- Share Meals Together
Even if experience tells you that sharing meals with others tends to help people bond more easily. For example, when at work or speaking with someone, and it’s time for a lunch break, invite them to share a meal or drink with you.
Last Thoughts
Making and building quality relationships is not difficult. You only have to be intentional about it. Placetochat provides you with a platform to meet and interact with new people and build lasting and quality relationships.
