What are the traits of a true friend?

[Dysis]

When we read books and comics, a true friend goes out of their way to join the protagonist on their adventures, comes to their house to support them when they break down and the likes. They always seem to have acute senses and find out what's wrong with the protagonist instantly.

Long story short, you don't really have to feel like you're working to earn their affection. It's natural, feelings are mutual and plentiful.

What about real life? What defines a good friend? Can you state real examples in daily lives that highlight the traits of a true friend?

[DokiDokiTsuna]

This is hardly based on experience, but I like to think a true friend is someone who (a) likes you, and (b) is willing to try their best for you. A true friendship occurs when those feelings are mutual. ^^

And of course, in real life, 'their best' isn't all-inclusive...maybe they won't want to hang out with you 24/7, or know exactly how to make you feel better when you're sad...but they're at least willing to try when you need them. Your life and comfort matters to them, and the relationship they have with you is important to them.

[shfra13]

Imo, good friendship is when you don't drain out yourself to continue trying to communicate with this specific friend. There's no need for extravagant stuff like gifts or anything, but at least you know for sure the feeling is mutual.

I have some good friends from high school. We're on different paths now, but we never become strangers. Even when we don't communicate for months, we can suddenly talk about something weird and random or send some memes their way. No question or awkwardness, just memes.

[Eiranyx]

Based on my experience, My group and I have been friends for more than 10 years... and in those 10 years, I noticed these things:
- the first thing I noticed is that a true friends knows you enough to act around you no matter what the situation.
like example for me, I'm actually the one they describe as the strongest in the group, they know me enough that when I'm feeling down, I won't always need their sympathy and they respect that. Instead, they will always be there ready if ever I need their support/a crying shoulder but they never treat me as someone pitiful because they know that I just need to rest, take it easy until I find the strength to stand up again.
-True friends also respect your time, they don't measure your friendship by your availability, instead, they know that you have other things going on with your life and won't guilt trip you into something like 'you're not spending time with us anymore, are you our friend?' instead, if they miss you, they will just give you a call or ask for a meet up but still respect your time. But if you are down and you you need their support, they will always find time.
-True friends doesn't always need to be together, if ever they aren't together for a long time, they can always manage to continue the conversation from where you left off and catch up with each others in the process.
-A true friend also respect, when will you open up to them, they never force you to open up a topic that you're uncomfortable with and will always wait, they won't be mad just because you don't share your secrets with them, they respect you enough that they know that there are some things/burdens that you can share with them or you cannot share with them.
- Friendships have arguments -- and arguments are essential for friendship to grow, a true friend will always argue with you regarding the issue but they will never go as low as breaking your trust by spreading your secrets for the sake of gaining the upper hand in a conflict/an argument. They won't get other people involved because they know that the conflict revolves around both of you And at the end of the day, they will always try to resolve the conflict together when they think both parties are ready to confront it.
- And lastly, you know each other's dream and they will support you and even if you fail, they will still cheer you on.

[Maps]

My truest friends are the ones I can feel completely comfortable with. I hate that I say it like this but I don’t know how to put it kinder... true friends don’t feel like a chore to hang out with. A true friend is someone that you can drop your guard with and can be completely open with; they almost feel like a close sibling. You can be unapologetically you, and they can be unapologetically themselves. You can be goofy, or grumpy, happy, sad, active or sitting together in silence without there being awkwardness. You can trust them to keep deep secrets and give you the honest advice, or even the cheering up you need.
You don’t feel like you’re hosting them when you’re with them, and you feel comfortable trusting them with important things/matters.

[lorddevin2]

I think a true friend is defined as someone who wants to spend time with you with no ulterior motives. They want to spend some of their valuable free time with you simply because they enjoy your company.

[R.n.P]

based on real life experience i would say
-someone thats honest, i hate people that lie to me when I'm doing something wrong just cause they didn't wanna be 'mean', i like self examining my actions to always make sure I'm on the right path so people like that are a treasure you can always count on.
-someone i can make fun of n can also make fun of me, we're basically equal.
-someone who's got my back and i got his/hers.
-someone i can have a friendly rivalry in some aspects with or at least someone i can learn useful things from.
the same goes for most comics n manga i read too