It takes about 200 hours of investment in the space of a few months to move a stranger into being a good friend. This fits with our data, which suggests that close friends are very expensive in terms of time investment to maintain. I think the figures are a guideline rather than precise. It just means friendships require work.
It takes about 200 hours of investment in the space of a few months to move a stranger into being a good friend.
My guess is that this number varies a lot between people? I can think of multiple friendships that have felt exciting and close within maybe 3-4 one-on-one encounters of 2-4 hours each.
Interesting. I’m pretty sure that for me, with the right person, I’d have a strong friendship after a few hours or days. I wonder if I ought to do something differently to meet others’ seeming desire for slow-cooking friendship.
Related: In Robin Dunbar Explains Humans’ Circles of Friendship—The Atlantic, Robin Dunbar says:
Source (to me): The Circles of Friendship (kottke.org)
My guess is that this number varies a lot between people? I can think of multiple friendships that have felt exciting and close within maybe 3-4 one-on-one encounters of 2-4 hours each.
Interesting. I’m pretty sure that for me, with the right person, I’d have a strong friendship after a few hours or days. I wonder if I ought to do something differently to meet others’ seeming desire for slow-cooking friendship.