Can you really have friends?

When you come from a significantly different class from somebody, can they really be your friend?

I'm not talking from my point of view, because we care for a lot of people and feel that on our part they are our friends. But we have thought many times that certain people were are friends, only to get burned. Then after you get burned several times, it starts to make you question all your relationships.

Can somebody with nothing, be friends with somebody who in their mind has everything, without hoping that their rich friend will take care of all their problems? Look at it in the States. Do movie stars and professional athletes hang out with middle class? What about hanging out in a ghetto somewhere? Could they maintain that relationship without the less fortunate person looking for or even expecting a handout?

Even though we're not millionaires, everybody thinks that we are. When we get invited to birthday parties, is it because those people are our friends, or because they know we'll bring a gift and maybe loan our plastic chairs for the event?

There have been times when we thought somebody was our friend, and we cared about them. So eventually they need a favor, let's a say a ride somewhere. So give them a ride. Then the next week they need a ride again. Then their family member needs a ride. Then it no longer becomes a favor, it becomes something that's expected. So if a week comes along where you really don't have time or gas to give the ride, you're the one that has to apologize and the other person gets offended. I know it sounds strange, but people will break off all contact with you and keep their kids from coming to your activities for small things like that.

We have lots of people that we care about and would do anything for. If their kid needed surgery, we'd find a way to help them out. If they needed a ride, we'd be more than happy to oblige. However, we could count on one hand the people who would be there for us if we ever needed help.