INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP

Today is July 30 and International Day of Friendship on the National Day Calendar. We are using today's International day to encourage forging friendships near and far. Let's develop strong friendships worldwide in hopes of a growing spirit of human solidarity.

#INTERNATIONALDAYOFFRIENDSHIP

Friends make us laugh, listen to our complaints, and support us when we need a shoulder. Friends are especially important because they are there to encourage us and celebrate important moments in our life. International Day of Friendship encourages making friends and building relationships with people outside of your own culture, country, or background.

There are different types of friends. Close friendships are those we share just about everything with, keeping secrets and laughing at our foolishness. They are a part of our family.  Friends who are acquaintances seem to pop us in unexpected places putting smiles on our face in the moment. These friends always bring back memories and make us laugh.

Aristotle's 3 Classifications of Friendship

  1. Utility friendship - Co-worker, a business partner, another professionals in which the purpose of the friendship is a mutual objective.

  2. Pleasure friendship - A person whom others enjoy being with because they have a quick wit or an uplifting attitude. A person with whom the purpose of the friendship is to explore a mutual pleasure such as fishing, bowling, or other hobbies.

  3. Good friend - Mutual respect, and admiration for each other's qualities, though there may be differences.
    Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle

Since the day explores friendships across cultures, set aside preconceived notions. Be patient, as language barriers may slow down the conversations, but it won't stop it.

5 WAYS TO CELEBRATE #InternationalDayOfFriendship

  1. Call or write a note to that friend you've not heard from in a few weeks or longer.

  2. Host a dinner party with friends from different communities or cultures.

  3. Play a board game or card game with someone who has recently immigrated. The game will facilitate learning both language and culture.

  4. Make friends!

  5. Share your international friendships on social media by tagging #InternationalDayOfFriendship.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP HISTORY

In 1919, Friendship Day began as a greeting card promotion. By 1940, it had disappeared. The United Nations proposed a worldwide initiative in 1997 to establish an International Friendship Day. In 2011, the United Nations official proclaimed the day to inspire peace efforts and build bridges between peoples, countries, and cultures.