A related question is when you should let people know where they stand with you. Prima facie, it seems good to make sure people know when they are safe. But that means it also being clearer when a person is not safe, which has downsides.
An interesting question.
Even if you are not specific about where people stand with you, they have the evidence of your past actions. So whenever you decide whether to stick with a friend or give up will provide evidence to your other acquaintances as to what they can expect from you.
If one is perceived as being too quick to ditch friends, it probably decreases availability of replacement friends. On the other hand, someone who is extremely loyal is likely to have greater availability of friends (up to a limit!) but also less need for new friends.
This surplus may give leverage for things one cares about—one might say “I’ll stand by my friends but I do expect they turn up when they say they’ll turn up”. Someone who is less loyal may not be able to be so picky.
An interesting question.
Even if you are not specific about where people stand with you, they have the evidence of your past actions. So whenever you decide whether to stick with a friend or give up will provide evidence to your other acquaintances as to what they can expect from you.
If one is perceived as being too quick to ditch friends, it probably decreases availability of replacement friends. On the other hand, someone who is extremely loyal is likely to have greater availability of friends (up to a limit!) but also less need for new friends.
This surplus may give leverage for things one cares about—one might say “I’ll stand by my friends but I do expect they turn up when they say they’ll turn up”. Someone who is less loyal may not be able to be so picky.