_{An interpersonal relationship is a relatively long-term association between two or more people. This association may be based on emotions like love and liking, regular business interactions, or some other type of social commitment. Interpersonal relationships take place in a great variety of contexts, such as family, friends, marriage, acquaintances, work, clubs, neighborhoods, and churches. They may be regulated by law, custom, or mutual agreement, and are the basis of social groups and society as a whole. Although humans are fundamentally social creatures, interpersonal relationships are not always healthy. Examples of unhealthy relationships include abusive relationships and codependence.}

_{A relationship is normally viewed as a connection between two individuals, such as a romantic or intimate relationship, or a parent-child relationship. Individuals can also have relationships with groups of people, such as the relation between a pastor and his congregation, an uncle and a family, or a mayor and a town. Finally, groups or even nations may have relations with each other, though this is a much broader domain than that covered under the topic of interpersonal relationships. See such articles as international relations for more information on associations between groups. Most scholarly work on relationships focuses on romantic partners in pairs or dyads. These intimate relationships are, however, only a small subset of interpersonal relationships.}

_{All relationships involve some level of interdependence. People in a relationship tend to influence each other, share their thoughts and feelings, and engage in activities together. Because of this interdependence, anything that changes or impacts one member of the relationship will have some level of impact on the other member. The study of interpersonal relationships involves several branches of social science, including such disciplines as sociology, psychology, anthropology, and social work.}

Friendships consist of mutual liking, trust, respect, and often even love and unconditional acceptance. They usually imply the discovery or establishment of similarities or common ground between the individuals. Internet friendships and pen-pals may take place at a considerable physical distance. Brotherhood and sisterhood can refer to individuals united in a common cause or having a common interest, which may involve formal membership in a club, organization, association, society, lodge, fraternity, or sorority. This type of interpersonal relationship relates to the comradeship of fellow soldiers in peace or war. Partners or co-workers in a profession, business, or common workplace also have a long term interpersonal relationship.

Hi Thomas,

What an interesting presentation! Relationships. My daughter asked me the other day if I was going to ever respond to any of the requests for friendship I get from a social site that I joined. A MySpace friend asked me to join him there because we could communicate better. He was, as my Granny called it, "rather fetching".

Once I arrived, I found that I could not even communicate with him without joining and paying a monthly fee. I have never heard from him again. That was two years ago. Everyday I get photos and reminders that there are men waiting to meet me. When I click, the message is that we are both free members so we cannot use that feature. They webmaster has even sent me photos of gorgeous young men that I know are not interested in me.

Getting the mail saying that someone has flirted with me still gives me a little thrill so I maintain my membership. What can I say, I am human afterall.

Another dapper young gentleman from a popular social site really romanced me with words in emails telling me how great I am. Once I gave him my email address, he spammed me senseless with all types of business offers. We shared some nasty emails where he accused me of insulting his mother. A couple of months ago the same man did exactly the same thing again. He had forgotten that he had contacted me previously. I always thought I was  more memorable.

Everyday hundreds of people contact me on live messenger. The message says, "I can't upload my pictures because there is a problem. Go to this website." They can't upload the pictures because they are promoting obviously rated xxx adult material. Yes, I have been curious. I really wish I could turn off those guys.

I could go on. Internet relationships are a raw subject with me. I endeavor to make sure it does not influence my opinion of everyone I meet on the net. Perhaps one day there will be a way to see into a person's "windows to the soul" (eyes) early on in the relationship.

Thank you Lucy for your reply, my my you have been through a lot with this social media online thing, one thing to remember is not all men seem to be what they are nor the woman in social communitys such as myspace and if you need permission to upload a harmless picture, stay away. social websites are free to join, free to upload any picture you want within the rulings of there website, developing friendships online is just as hard as making them offline except for one thing, you can see who your talking to offline lol unless you have a webcam, the main point in developing a friendship online is to be cautious with newbies, find out there business first and go from there, and its always best to get to know one another real good from within the same age, give or take a few years. Its good to know that you know that not everyone is a sleaze bucket LOL, for those who come online from an IM and say a few words in a language you have no clue as to what they are saying? there is a spam button you can use, i suggest you use it, you'll see very few will pop up bugging you. If your on Skype, theres a little smiley face at the top of your name, if you see that take it off, that lets everyone know your available to talk.

Buonasera Caro,

In Italian we say ... chi trova un amico ... trova un tesoro ....
It roughly translates as .... whoever finds a friend finds a treasure ....

I count myself as one of the few lucky rich people on this planet because for every bad Internet encounter I've had .... I've found a few people who I am so proud to call my friends ...

As you know, I am going to finally meet Jenny in person.  She is one of those treasures .... You are so far away but you can bet your bottom dollar that if you weren't I'd be having a coffee with you too.

It won't be this year ... but maybe the next ... I wil get to do my tour of the US ad meet all the treasures I've found over there as well .... so don't give up on that coffee just yet ... LOL

Honesty is the policy of any good relationship ... online or off ... all the other traits such as caring and sharing and being friends is only noticeable with time ...because it's only through time that we learn to grow, know each other and be there for one another ....

One real treasure for life is worth more than a million passers by!

Big hugs to you my dear treasure.
xx

Dear Bro,

Great subject !!!

Here is where I think it all begins :-)

hugz n blessings always

Pauline

                 THE MAN IN THE GLASS

When you get what you want in your struggles for self

And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself

And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or wife

Whose judgment upon you must pass,

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one staring back from the glass.

Some people might think you're a straight-shooting chum

And call you a wonderful guy.

But the man in the glass says you're only a bum

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest

For he's with you clear to the end

And you've passed your most dangerous test

If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years

And get pats on the back as you pass

But your final reward will be heartache and tears

If you've cheated the man in the glass.


Author unknown.