A Faraway Friend is someone you grew up with or went to school with or lived in the same town as until one of you moved away. Without a Faraway Friend, you would never get any mail addressed in handwriting. A Faraway Friend calls late at night, invites you to her wedding, always says she is coming to visit but rarely shows up. An actual visit from a Faraway Friend is a cause for celebration and binges（狂欢） of all kinds. Cigarettes, Chips Ahoy, bottles of tequila（龙舌兰酒）.

 

The Former Friend. A sad thing. At best a wistful memory, at worst a dangerous enemy who is in possession of many of your deepest secrets. But what was it that drove you apart? A misunderstanding, a betrayed confidence, an unrepaid loan, an ill-conceived flirtation¹（调情）. A poor choice of spouse² can do in a friendship just like that. Going into business together can be a serious mistake. Time, money, distance, cult³ religions: all noted⁴ friendship killers⁵.

 

A New Friend is a tonic⁶（补药） unlike any other. Say you meet her at a party. In your bowling⁷ league. At a Japanese conversation class, perhaps.

 

Wherever, whenever, there's that spark of recognition. The first time you talk, you can't believe how much you have in common. Suddenly, your life story is interesting again, your insights fresh, your opinion valued. Your various shortcomings are as yet completely invisible.

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