What is the Full Form of BFF?
Who doesn’t want a friend you can trust like your own shadow? The concept and idea of friendship are familiar. The full form of BFF is “best friends forever,” which refers to someone who will not leave you, irrespective of the circumstances. It is a profound feeling of togetherness and sharing the deepest bond.
As per the wiki dictionary, the full form of the acronym BFF means best friend, best mate, best pal, and boon companion. Whether the term BFF is old or new, the effect of friendship on people’s minds and behavior is potent. Friendships significantly contribute to our health and social well-being.
Origin of the Term BFF
For the one who is a fan of FRIENDS, the American series, the term is neither new nor difficult to understand. However, for those without idea, Phoebe first used the acronym in season 3 of FRIENDS. It is a matter of fact that Phoebe made the term BFF clear to her gang. The acronym BFFs soon got popular with the advent of text messages and instant messaging apps.
It is the most accessible term to share and express the feeling of friendship and bond with someone who is an essential and eminent part of life. For many, best friends forever also implies that their children will share the same feeling in the future. The possibility of such a coincidence is mere yet highly anticipated.
How do Friendships Vary Across the Globe?
- Friendship is ageless and present in almost all cultures at every stage of life. But, the perception and conception of this bond have multiple interpretations across countries. The importance and meaning of friendship have altered with different times.
- Some countries have resolved to strict definitions of friendship, while others have a loose definition. Based on the definition, the culture adapts and expects friendly relations. According to a study, Chinese people have less affection towards friendships and tend to stay aloof.
- In Asia, especially India, friendships have strict definitions, and it does not involve sexual intimacy. On the contrary, in the western world, American adolescents indulge in making intimate bonds, and the culture of being friends with the opposite sex is quite common. Also, a company with the opposite gender is not always highly acceptable.
- Best Friends Forever (BFF) in India and most Asian countries applies to same-sex friendships. Girls tend to have more affection towards this term and have a close association with their BFF. However, it is not a generalization, and people define and groom their friendships depending on many factors.
Factors That Make Best Friends Forever Feasible?
Many factors come to light when realizing the concept of best friends forever. The factors that can make the idea eternal are:
#1 Happiness
People prioritize friendships when they are happy. A person or individual can only make others happy if they feel the same. A survey suggests that it is more likely that countries and cultures with high levels of happiness, ignoring the other factors, tend to emphasize terms like Best Friends Forever.
#2 Health
Similarly, health is another crucial factor to take into account. People with better health are more capable of managing friendships for the longer term. This factor implies more to older adults, women, and individuals from countries with high power distance.
#3 Approach Towards Life
A person who is a follower of individualism tends to leave their friendships behind in school and college. To justify the term BFF, one needs to rise above selfish motives and work towards larger goals, but it takes a lot of work and a positive approach towards life.
The Relevance of the term in Modern Context
As a young adult, the meaning of BFFs has changed from what it was during school or college. The idea of friendship will never fade. But, the methods, perception, conception, and interpretation will keep transforming.
According to a current study where more than 3 lakh people participated from over 90 countries, the survey reports are astonishing. The focus of the study was analyzing the individual and country-level factors. The outcome showed that the level of friendship and the relevancy of the term best friends forever depends on many factors.
How a person perceives a friendly relationship depends on the cultural context, the emotional capabilities, and the individualistic approach. Only a chunk of people believe in the opinion of Phoebe from FRIENDS, and the rest cater to individualism. The changing approach towards life and shift towards the material world has left the concept and idea of BFF far behind.
