Judy Gombita wrote a nice guest post for Marketing Mel, a very thoughtful essay about the layers of
friendships and relationships.
Judy reflected on a term that she learned from one of her teachers when she was in school (“friendlies” vs. friends), describes how she came to know Mel and write the guest post, and links these ideas to the broader world of on and offline relationships. She wrote (excerpts below in italics):
…inserted into my lexicon was her novel word and intermediary concept: “friendlies.” …your friendlies are more than acquaintances, but haven’t reached the status of fully bloomed, time-tested lasting friends
..… it was through #solopr (one of my “featured” chats) that I met Marvellous Mel…I respect and very much like everything I know about Mel—her smarts, integrity, sector expertise, warmth, people skills and sense of humor. Yet in my mind at this stage I still classify Mel as a “friendlie” rather than a friend.
Why? Simply because we haven’t known each other long enough to test the long-term strength of our online alliance…. But it’s still early days.
Similarly, Judy and I have had some very nice online exchanges, and at one point she invited me to write a guest post for PR Conversations. I suppose I am friendlie, and perhaps on the way to becoming a friend of Judy’s.
Ironically, just this Sunday, I had the chance to take in the movie Catfish (spoiler alert), which looks at the layers and nature of friendships from another (and much darker) perspective.
This amazing documentary was created by young NY-based filmakers – I won’t give everything away, but will say that it shares the experiences of the lead as he got very close to the various members of Michigan family (and the family’s Web of friends) based on a reality that was presented through Facebook – a false reality, as it turned out.
In the movie, Facebook was presented as a storytelling medium, an artist’s canvas that can let people paint any reality that they desire.
Thought provoking stuff, as you might imagine, for a PR person and anyone, really, who dabbles in social networking (and who doesn’t these days?).
Catfish is one of those films that I kept meaning to see, but never got around to (note that I’m one of those old-fashioned people who really only enjoys a movie on the big screen…which is why I heart the fact that Toronto boasts both TIFF–on right now–and Hot Docs, plus about 40 other smaller film festivals).
Definitely we are friendlies, with the possibility of “friends” status. Asking someone to write a guest post on PR Conversations is our own badge of honour, given to people we think have something original to say and contribute towards international “PR conversations.”
Delighted to inspire you, my friendlie!
Thanks, Judy, for reading and commenting; friendlie, friend whatever you call it, I value our connection and appreciate the kind words
t is my honor and privileged to found and read your post. It made me learn a lot of different ideas. Keep up the good work.