[chrisjtow]

Just had a conversation about this tonight. The lack of "new" encounters - including expanding a network of friends and new experiences. The reason it is hard to make new relationships is because we don't spend enough time bonding.

Technology - E-Mail/Texts/Facebook/Highlight does not build a new relationship. Technology only bridges the gap of communication.

If you think of your strongest relationships, they were built after lots of time spent with the person. In other words, bonding. And bonding takes time.

What's the longest amount of time you spend with a new person? An hour? Maybe ten minutes, multiples times a week? Try a weekend with someone, and bonding will naturally occur.

The reason good relationships are harder to develop is because we don't spend the necessary time to bond the newfound relationship. It's not one meetup or coffee, but it's doing it enough until that person is apart of your life.

[lumberjack]

I agree with this and moreover I would also think that environments where you are on the same formal level and gain from sincere relationships, in both school and work also facilitate friendship.