Tysm for tagging me @Auri and aw well I think you did a great job at making this cafe "awesome" so no need to worry about that not being the case as far as I'm concerned. 
The topic of "friendship" is a deeply depressing one for me but I will answer the q's nonetheless and do my best to not be too depressing in my answers, can't make any promises though sorry (esp. if I get triggered). Oh and sorry for not replying til today, was busy yesterday and also it was a horrendously hot day here.
1. What does friendship mean to you?
Loyalty, encouragement, sincere appreciation, unconditional acceptance, a good, strong, healthy connection and good/balanced communication and conversations. Someone who enhances your life and supports you.
2. What kind of friend are YOU?
I do my best to be those things I described above. I can also be a friend who needs my space at times though. And perhaps the vacuum of my emotional needs (especially when it comes to sincere, supportive compliments, appreciation and recognition) is overwhelming, I'm not very sure on that though cos I don't think anyone's ever cared enough to even know just how strong that need is anyway, whatever.
3. What's the first step to make a new friend (e.g. on SF, or irl)?
Heck if I know. People seem to just kinda like who they decide they're gonna like, doesn't feel like it matters much how damn hard I try so I just don't give a damn anymore. I actually prefer NOT to talk to people by PM anymore tbh (there's a few exceptions of course, but overall, no thanks) cos there's been far too many who don't seem to give a damn about what I have to say, who express any amount of caring about me or what I might think or feel about things or getting to know me better, nothing. I am always trying to express those things to others but to not get it back...no. Just no. Not willing to tolerate that nonsense at all, not ever. No way.
4. What do you think about "virtual" friendships?
They're fine I guess, when both people are good at being expressive in writing. Over the years I've found that the majority don't tend to do that very well. They usually need a LOT of prodding in terms of "so.....what do you think about that?" kind of stuff. Gets very old tbh.
5. When was the last time you showed gratitude to your friend(s) for being there, no matter how close you both are?
I feel like I'm always trying to do that in every interaction with my very few friends, whether they are online or in real life. Don't have much chance in the real life area, but with my 1 friend I try to express gratitude whenever he says or does something nice or thoughtful. I made him a thank you card a week or 2 ago for picking up dinner for me so much, and also bought him one of his fave healthy foods since we're both trying to lose weight. I'd be delighted to make all my friends lots of digital collages of loving gratitude tbh, but I would want for them to be made for me as well, at least some of the time. Ya I was definitely not born at the right time I don't think, no one in the world in my experience seems to appreciate such things like this so whatever I'm so over it.
The topic of "friendship" is a deeply depressing one for me but I will answer the q's nonetheless and do my best to not be too depressing in my answers, can't make any promises though sorry (esp. if I get triggered). Oh and sorry for not replying til today, was busy yesterday and also it was a horrendously hot day here.
1. What does friendship mean to you?
Loyalty, encouragement, sincere appreciation, unconditional acceptance, a good, strong, healthy connection and good/balanced communication and conversations. Someone who enhances your life and supports you.
2. What kind of friend are YOU?
I do my best to be those things I described above. I can also be a friend who needs my space at times though. And perhaps the vacuum of my emotional needs (especially when it comes to sincere, supportive compliments, appreciation and recognition) is overwhelming, I'm not very sure on that though cos I don't think anyone's ever cared enough to even know just how strong that need is anyway, whatever.
3. What's the first step to make a new friend (e.g. on SF, or irl)?
Heck if I know. People seem to just kinda like who they decide they're gonna like, doesn't feel like it matters much how damn hard I try so I just don't give a damn anymore. I actually prefer NOT to talk to people by PM anymore tbh (there's a few exceptions of course, but overall, no thanks) cos there's been far too many who don't seem to give a damn about what I have to say, who express any amount of caring about me or what I might think or feel about things or getting to know me better, nothing. I am always trying to express those things to others but to not get it back...no. Just no. Not willing to tolerate that nonsense at all, not ever. No way.
4. What do you think about "virtual" friendships?
They're fine I guess, when both people are good at being expressive in writing. Over the years I've found that the majority don't tend to do that very well. They usually need a LOT of prodding in terms of "so.....what do you think about that?" kind of stuff. Gets very old tbh.
5. When was the last time you showed gratitude to your friend(s) for being there, no matter how close you both are?
I feel like I'm always trying to do that in every interaction with my very few friends, whether they are online or in real life. Don't have much chance in the real life area, but with my 1 friend I try to express gratitude whenever he says or does something nice or thoughtful. I made him a thank you card a week or 2 ago for picking up dinner for me so much, and also bought him one of his fave healthy foods since we're both trying to lose weight. I'd be delighted to make all my friends lots of digital collages of loving gratitude tbh, but I would want for them to be made for me as well, at least some of the time. Ya I was definitely not born at the right time I don't think, no one in the world in my experience seems to appreciate such things like this so whatever I'm so over it.
