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Is it good to make friends with someone you have nothing

in common with even values and beliefs? I think it’s better to make friends with people that you share common interests with .

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ravenwind43 · 51-55, F

I have friends that are really liberal to ultra conservative. Some are atheist and some are Christian. Play nice with politics and religion or don't play at all. If you like who they are otherwise that is what matters. Those two topics destroy communication with others.

Fluffybull · F

I don't think you could be "friends". Friendly acquaintances at best.

SW-User

So you wouldn’t be able to have a genuine friendship with this person because you have different mindsets. I kind of agree. @Fluffybull

Fluffybull · F

@SW-User I think friends have to have things in common, yes. You may like a person with whom you nothing in common, work alongside them or have them as a good neighbour but not what I'd call a friend.

SW-User

There’s nothing wrong with it.
As long as there’s respect for one another’s opinions and stances on things.

SW-User

True @SW-User

SW-User

You'll drift apart sooner than later. Like attracts like.

Carissimi · 70-79, F

I don’t see how that kind of friendship is sustainable. I’ve had friends where we had different values and beliefs on some things, but you need some core values in common, or you have nothing to build a friendship upon.

ravenwind43 · 51-55, F

@Carissimi I agree. You have to have commonalities. In fact, friendship begins when we recognize our self in others. If there zero to go on it won't be sustainable.

Carissimi · 70-79, F

That’s it... recognizing ourselves in others, which gives rise to rapport and empathy. It’s the same with literature. If we don’t identify (in some way, if not all) with the protagonists, we won’t enjoy or read the book. @ravenwind43

Casheyane · F

It sure is nice to have something common. But the difference could make diversity. Strangeness sometimes help you make better decisions. Since you get to know things from different perspectives.

SW-User

You can find at least one thing you have in common with anyone ..doesn't mean you will be great friends but it does make life a little easier

SW-User

@SW-User Yes but disagreeing with a hundred other issues might make the friendship sour, I guess.

Jessmari · 41-45

I don't mind having people who don't agree with me as long as we can agree to disagree on friendly terms.

Ultimately, they will go thier own way and that's fine.

Ksmile14 · F

I think you have to have something in common. Doesn't have to be everything but at least something.

smiler2012 · 56-60

{@callmedestiny ] i think friend takes shape in different fashion mutual respect and get on well irrespective if you have anything in common it is something built up in time

pdockal · 56-60, M

You need another perspective to broaden your horizons so consider people opposite you however their base values and yours should be similar

Disney

I'm not saying I don't share a common interest, but I don't trust him lol

CantHide

Yeh I dont get how a conversation would go if we had nothing in common

Jenny1234 · 51-55, F

Good question

stound

I suppose it depends on if you want friends to disagree with and to challenge or if you want echo chamber friends. id think a mix would be good.

Notanymore · 36-40, M

Inlive making friends and acquaintances completely different than myself. I'm always shocked at how many things we have in common.

SimplyAPerson · 22-25, F

It is actually intriguing and intellectually stimulating

basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M

What would be the point of being friends with someone I have nothing in common with? I mean what would I talk about?

SW-User

You would definitely argue a lot with that person. 😅@basilfawlty89

deathfairy ·

yes and no. they can teach you to be more open minded, but a lot of people are unwilling to take the steps to get there and just rather leave the friendship. which is okay, no one owes us anything and vice versa.

SW-User

@deathfairy You have a good point there that they can influence you to think differently.

DDonde · 31-35, M

Sometimes these things happen intentionally or unintentionally

Mrsbetweenfatandfit · 26-30, F

I’ve found that I became much more open minded/ hearted once I surrounded myself with others that didn’t just agree with everything I thought. It showed me that people weren’t good/bad fun/boring smart/dumb based on those things in general. Certainly nothing as serious as say child abuse etc Things like religion though & more helped me in widening my understanding for others.

SW-User

Yes that’s true but when they disagree with most of your thoughts about many different issues then it becomes a problem. @Mrsbetweenfatandfit

Mrsbetweenfatandfit · 26-30, F

@SW-User I could see for many that being the case. Most people feel the most comfortable with those that think how they do certainly at least agree majority of the time. I’ve actually married someone though that we disagree on more things than we agree. We’ve remained very happy together & it hasn’t been a source of conflict for us. We are likely the exception to the rule though I recognize.

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