I keep seeing men online (Reddit, Instagram, TikTok) saying how they don’t know personal details about their male friends of several years. It is mostly said in a proud context, or in disbelief when a woman talks about it.
I’m talking about knowing someone for years and not knowing what they do for work specifically, their relationship status/major issues, their life goals, their family situation, birthdays, and stuff like that.
For context, I am a man in my 20s. I have a close friend group of around 10 people. We all know each other very well. We have a group chat, and meet at least once a week (obviously some people can’t always make it). We know a lot of details about each other, so this idea of being close friends with someone and not knowing personal stuff about each other seems foreign and weird to me.
Does it actually happen, or just internet hyperbole?
Hi there, can attest: have a childhood friend whom I’ve known for years, know surprisingly little about him. I think it might be a cultural thing, for men to not bond too deeply, which is a damn shame.
Hmm, interesting. Where are you from?
Have you tried asking? Maybe you’re just a shit conversationalist. I used to be crap at small-talk until I actually worked on it for the purpose of being better at talking to women and making friends. I generally know all my friends back-stories. I know their birthdays, family members, what they and their siblings all do for work, I try and meet their parents, and be around for family events if there’s space.