Ah, friends

It has come to her attention that she has very little in common with a certain friend, a person she has known for a number of years. It is strange how two people, who have wildly different views on work, relationships, and life, could maintain a barely existent friendship for as long as they could. She suspects that for a while, she “coasted” the friendship, allowing the friend to be himself while unconsciously censoring herself.

She became aware of this when they were hanging out quite recently. The friend remarked on a particular issue (say, homosexuality) that directly countered her view. It then struck her that on more than one occasion, the friend will utter a semi-sexist, semi-racist, or semi-ignorant comment. Moreover, the comments were usually abrasive and obnoxious, as if there were no room for other points of views.

Needless to say, she was beginning to get annoyed. And that irritation became the wonderful epiphany she so needed.

Now that she has acknowledged this predicament, she is not sure how she ought to proceed. It seems simple: “Be yourself.” Indeed, being herself + friend’s being friend’s self will probably result in numerous bitch-slaps.

Ah well, time to get the brass knuckles.