Great friends are those you meet regularly and have a conversation with, flash a photo of your family too.
Some you meet at work in the lunch room or work along side. At social gatherings where whole families gather, those that listen to your woes and vice versa . Those kind of people that you are quite happy to be with and are remembered long after the have left the scene.

Now mates----Areal mate can be hard to find but when you have appreciate it. The first is your partner (some may disagree with their own experience) after 58 odd years and 2 wives this is just my view. Okay there are times things can get rough on this one ---but that's life.

Another and best real mate is one who stands by you in thick or thin , shares his last dollar with you , one who you can laugh and argue with, also listens to all your troubles with patience—gives good advice wanted or not but best of all BE THERE, but remember it works both ways, for you must be the same.