LogFAQs > #980152257

Depends entirely on the definition of "real friends".

First off, depending on the circumstances, your co-workers could also be your competition. Second, unlike "real" friends who you take the time to put into your schedule and formulate a place to meet up and something to do, work friends are already in your schedule via the thing you do to make a living. Third, and why relationships at work are generally frowned up, you can often not choose to cut them out of your life should you need to without taking a significant risk with your livelihood.

"Real friends" thus would be:

• People who do not effect your livelihood
• People who you need to make time for, and not who are already part of your schedule (these are either co-workers, neighbors, obligations, or family)
• People you can cut out of your life with minimal consequences except for what they bring to you in terms of their friendship

CountCorvinus posted... "online friends are not real friends"

Same energy.

Not really. Online friends can absolute fit the general definition of a "real friend" since they can absolutely meet all the criteria described above.

Co-workers and friends have been separated for a long time for a reason, and the reason ain't some random "online ain't real" bullshit. The two, while sometimes capable of offering the same thing, carry very different risks and scenarios surrounding how they interact with you.