Friendship can be strange. This is one relationship that does not depend on caste, creed, class, or religion. It does not depend on whether you are black or white. It also does not depend on whether you are ugly or good looking. It is not something imposed upon you. To some extent it is a matter of choice. Yet, at times you do not realize when a complete stranger becomes a best friend or may be a good friend or simply a friend.
Situations and circumstances bring you closer. You interact, share ideas, express your opinion and suddenly you realize that there is something that clicks between you. You may not be able to point out the exact date or time when you became friends. You may not realize why exactly you became friends. It is not a conscious decision or an agreement that you sign. There is no blood relation that binds you together, yet there is something that holds you together. There is no rope that ties you together yet there is an invisible knot that keeps you hitched.
There have been various instances in my life when I became friends with complete strangers. Through the internet world I made friendship with unknown people. I have never met them in person but we are good enough friends. We know what is happening in each others life. We help each other out and we do not know why we do it.
Yes, there may be people who make friendship with selfish intent. Such friendships anyways do not have life. I think it is inappropriate to use the term friendship to describe such relationships. They are simply associations. You associate with someone to serve a purpose. When the purpose is served the association ends.
Work place too helps you find friends who matter. In fact a work place is one place where friendship gets tested. When you are working you have to depend on different individuals to get your work done in a timely and efficient manner. The way individuals deal with you, helps you to classify them as friends or simply colleagues.
Next time you meet a stranger, take a pause. He/she could be a friendship waiting to happen. Hey, that does not mean you see a friend in every stranger you meet.
