our interactions are limited. For example, we may be acquaintances with those
living in the same neighborhood, apartment building, or residence hall. We
may also be acquaintances with classmates or co-workers. Most conversations
with acquaintances can be defined as impersonal communication, which is
essentially interchangeable surface-level chit-chat. In other words, we may
talk about the same thing with the grocery clerk, the sales associate, the bank
teller, and the restaurant server. The goals when communicating with
acquaintances are usually to reduce uncertainty and maintain face. Uncertainty
can be reduced by seeking information that may reveal similar beliefs,
attitudes, and values. Saving face is the process of attempting to maintain a
positive self-image in a relational situation.
• Friends: Friends are people with whom we have voluntarily negotiated more
personal relationships. People often refer to friends according to the context in
which they typically interact with them. These context friendships may fade if
the context changes. For instance, one’s friendship with a person at the office
may fade if one of the friends takes a job with a different company.
• Intimates: Intimates are close personal friends with whom we share a high
degree of interdependence, commitment, disclosure, understanding, affection,
and trust. We may have countless acquaintances and many friends, but we are
likely to have only a few truly intimate relationships. Intimate relationships
can be platonic or romantic. A platonic relationship is one in which partners
are not sexually attracted to each other or do not act on an attraction they feel.
A romantic relationship is one in which partners acknowledge their sexual
attraction to one another. Regardless of whether the relationship is platonic or
romantic, both partners must trust each other for it to become and remain
intimate. Trust is placing confidence in another in a way that almost always
involves some risk. REJ: Please see the section “Types of Relationships” for