Band 5+: As part of our series of letters on relationships in the twenty-first century, we want readers to tell us what they think makes someone a good friend, and how such a relationship can be maintained today. Write us a letter about a friend you feel is special. Tell us how you maintain this relationship, and whether you feel it has changed over the years. We'll publish the best ones on our Letters Page.

Dear editors,

I want to contribute to the magazine by showcasing an interesting instance of the genuine friendship. I had an acquintance who eventually became my best friend, throughout my adolescence there were a lot of issues that we had to sort out. Thus, my goal is to share experience and explain how to resolve problems together.

The most crucial aspect of frienship is sincerity. Sometimes it is almost impossible to understand whether the individual is going to deceive you, trust is what makes relationships possible. I met my friend when I just enrolled at the university, my first thought was that he is supercilious and I would never deal with him. However, the relationship between us became symbiotic in a few weeks, we helped eachother without any intentions of future benefits for ourselves. Once, I helped him during the examination even though there would have been serious consequences if we had messed up. I reckon that this is the example of the genuine relationship.

Generally, friendship is an ability to take actions for someone significant for you, understanding there could be some drawbacks. I consider it as a special relationship that does not depend on gender, appearance, character, financial well-being and other insignificant parameters in the matter of that phenomenon. It is a special bond that should be maintained by both individuals, although the influence of whom could be unequal sometimes.

To sum up, I tend to believe that my opinion will be intriguing for international readership and it will help people to understand the invaluableness of the real friendship.

Sincerely,

Artemiy