There are friends with a little "f" and friends with a big
"F". The first is a large group with sloppy admission
standards, the other an elite, time-tested crew.

A little "f" friend: identifies themselves when they
call.
A big "F" Friend: doesn’t have to.

A little "f" friend: opens a conversation with a full news
bulletin on their life.
A big "F" friend: says, “What’s
new with you?”

A little "f" friend: thinks the problems you whine about
are recent.
A big "F" friend says, “You’ve been whining
about the same thing for 14 years. Get off your duff and do
something about it.”

A little "f" friend: has never seen you cry.
A big
"F" friend: has shoulders soggy from your tears.

A little "f" friend: doesn’t know your parent’s first
names.
A big "F" friend: has your parent’s phone numbers
in they’re address book.

A little "f" friend: knows almost nothing about your
family.
A big "F" friend: knows the medical history,
dietary habits and marital troubles of everyone on your tree.

A little "f" friend: brings a bottle of wine to your
party.
A big "F" friend: comes early to help you cook and
stays late to help you clean.

A little "f" friend: calls you at 10 p.m. just to
chat.
A big "F" friend: knows you hate to be called after
9 p.m.

A little "f" friend: wonders about your romantic
history.
A big "F" friend: could blackmail you with it.

A little "f" friend: when visiting, they act like a
guest.
A big "F" friend: when visiting, they open your
refrigerator, put they’re feet on the sofa, talks back to your spouse
and reprimands your children.

A little "f" friend: thinks the friendship is over when
you argue.
A big "F" friend: knows that a friendship’s not
a friendship until you’ve had a fight.

— author unknown