Quick Poll Results

SmartGirls submit their questions, and we post them! Here are some of the results.

Method:

We posted the following poll on SmartGirl.org:

Question: At what point would you say you were friends?

princess, age 13

67 SmartGirls responded.

Prediction:

We asked SmartGirls to predict what the most popular response would be. Here's what SmartGirls hypothesized:

At what point would you say you were friends? When you hang out just together: 14; When you hang out in the same group: 22; When you both like each other: 18; When you both know each other: 10

Most SmartGirls hypothesized that the most popular response would be "When you hang out in the same group."

Results:

This chart shows how SmartGirls voted in the poll:

At what point would you say you were friends? When you hang out just together: 19; When you hang out in the same group: 10; When you both like each other: 21; when you both know each other: 17

Contrary to their hypothesis, the most popular choice for when to call someone a friend is "When you both like each other." Surprisingly, the hypotheis was actually the least popular choice: "When you hang out in the same group."

We asked, "Why?" Here's what some SmartGirls had to say:

When you hang out just together:

Because then you create a special bond and make fun memories
Because we have a great time together
I don't know, um, cuz I don't know
You can hang out in the same group, but if you can't only hang out together, then you're not friends
When you start hanging out together, you start to like each other's presence and you become friends
Because if you don't really hang, you're not tight
When I hang with my BFFs we hang alone
Because that's when you really get to know them
Because they are so cool, and I need to tell my best friends
That's when you become friends

When you hang out in the same group:

If you can hang out alone and it's not awkward, you're good friends. But if there's a big group and you choose to talk to each other when you don't have to, then you're friends.
That's what you do with your other friends.
Because it just is
I don't know

When you both like each other:

If you like each other, how can you say you're not friends?
Cuz that is when you spend time and enjoy it
Because it would feel weird if you didn't like a guy in your group at one time or another
Cuz if you like each other you're friends! =]
Friends don't necessarily have to hang out together; GOOD friends do.
Because you need to like each other to be BFFs
Friends are those who like each other for who they are
Because (:
Cuz look
It shows you have things in common and are going to have a good friendship
When we both like each other as friends, then I can be sure
There's a lot of people I don't hang out with, but I still consider them to be my friend.
You need to know someone in order to have them as a friend
Cuz ur supposed 2 love ur friends

When you both know each other:

I don't want a "friend" who doesn't know much about me
Knowing each other is a better step in a friendship for a better relationship. When you know each other, your friendship lasts!
When you KNOW each other, as in you know things about one another.
Because knowing someone well is how you get to know a person
Cuz I said it!
You can buy a dress with them
Coz

Discussion:

Some SmartGirls predicted that others have stricter definitions of friendship, while other SmartGirls predicted that others had looser definitions of friendship. Why do you think so many SmartGirls only consider someone a friend if they hang out alone and not in a big group? Do all friends have to be GOOD friends? Can you still be a true friend even if you have only ever hung out with someone in a big group?

Please respond to the results, the reasons for the votes, or our discussion questions below: