Interpersonal Relationships

What is a relationship? There are different types of relationships that we have. All relationships begin with interpersonal communication. Communication and interactions, which happen amid two individuals to start, build, maintain, and occasionally either end or redefine a relationship. For some, relationships are easily forged, but how far they advance and whether they endure is up to the two people communicating with one another. We all have acquaintances, but how well we communicate will determine whether we become friends or in some cases intimates.

An acquaintance is someone whom is known by name and when we speak to him or her idle talk occurs. Personal details about oneself are not offered or shared. Three acquaintances that I can think of are my neighbor, a bank teller, and a person at dog training. I do not consider any of these people my friends, even though I have known some for several years. I have never shared any personal information with any of them. With the neighbor, it is usually a simple hello, how are you, and conversation about the weather. I have seen this person almost daily but have never discussed more than that. The bank teller takes care of my banking needs every week at the bank. She always greets me by name, will ask about my dog and kids or my banking needs. It has always been kept on the professional side rather than talking about something personal and taking it to the next step. At dog training, there are several people that I consider acquaintances. The main topics that we discuss are about the puppy training. We can have an hour-long conversation about dogs and nothing in particular and I do not know much about them on a personal or private level. None of these people would be someone that I...

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..., is happy when I am happy and is sad when I am sad. This is also a two way street, I am there for him just as much as he is for me. This relationship differs from my friends because of the amount of intimate discussions we are able to have with one another. We each have our own individual friends that we do things with but none of them is like my best friend.

All relationships have their ups and their downs. What helps to further advance a relationship through their stages is communication, from both people involved. Trust in the other person to help advance into a friendship and finally, to maintain the relationship. There are always going to be bumps in the road for all friends and couples. Friends cannot judge one another. In my opinion if two people can make it through the bad and weather the storm then they have a good chance at remaining true to each other.