maybends

It’s crazy how people in context can affect the one’s personal status. For example the other night I was with a group of “maybends. “maybends” are those who you’ve meet and have hung out with long enough to be still worried about the boundaries, but not overly anxious so that you don’t open up. Anyway, my “maybends didn’t know that I have traveled to Italy and speak a minimal amount of italian, however they were relatively unimpressed with my rendition of “goodnight moon” which was a learning tool to incorporate more italian vocab. So anyway- to these new friends, whose backgrounds vary from dartmouth to oxford, my semi skill was seemed to pat me on the back- you know the “aww, she learned how to brush her teeth” kinda way.

However, if this same situation where to have played out with a different group of friends- let’s say a group of friends that know me quite well- they type of people that share in your pain- when you flubbed up in front of your superior, or you had one to many to drink, and told them exactly how annoying they could be sometimes- those friends. those friend, they get excited that you now know the difference between the plural and singular article changes. those friends might laugh when you fall, but they’re still beside you to make sure you didn’t brake anything.

So my question then is- why do we put ourselves in those situations? do we chalk it up to the belief that the “maybends” will become “old” friends. and if so- how long until they make that transition. i still have friends that i’ve called dear for years, but if i’m honest- they’re still in the “maybends” category. and then on the flip side, there’s friends in the “old” category who have transcended into the “forever” list. they’re my favorite. given there’s only a handful. but i know that i can reach them at anytime and hear a friendly and loving tone. that’s rare. and maybe sometime in the future, i’ll add some more. and hopefully- a few of those “maybends” will make some moves as well.