Some friends last a lifetime, but often we make friends for particular reasons at particular times. Here, we look at a few of the different kinds of friends we make dring ourlives. The old friend Old friends are friends you met a long time ago and that you are still close to. You have a shared history. You enjoy talking about he past and always stay in contact. The friend of the family These friends can be useful. People that our parents or brothers or sisters know can often teach us things or help us to find a job. The online friend Many people make friends through the internet. Sometimes these friendships move into the real world, but usually they don’t. The “Friend” You Don’t really Like Very Much Perhaps it’s a friend from your past who is different now. Maybe it’s a friend of your friend/wife/husband. The problem is that you don’t get on with them, but you have to see them and be nice to them. The Bad Friend Some friends often disappoint you: he/she cancels meetings or shows up late; they tell your secrets to other people;they compete with you at school, at work , or in romance;and they criticize everything from your clothes to your behaviour. In some cases, the friendship may be so unhealthy that you ought to end it instead.