Understanding the Terminology of Relationships

As an East Coast Jew, I often grapple with certain quirks that border on neurosis—like my opinions on blueberry bagels, the peculiar habit of eating pizza with utensils, and the frustration of slow walkers. Yet, beyond these trivialities, there's one lingering dilemma that perplexes me: what term can effectively replace "friend" when referring to someone I know well enough to feel positively about, yet haven't spent sufficient time with to truly classify them as a "friend"?

While many suggest simply labeling them as a "friend," that designation feels inaccurate to me. A genuine friend embodies a relationship characterized by mutual understanding and commitment. Friendship entails a certain level of trust and intimacy.

When we universally label everyone as friends, we risk diluting the true essence and expectations that come with a meaningful friendship. The most straightforward alternative is "acquaintance." This is how such exchanges typically unfold in a professional setting:

“Hey Hunter, [another person] mentioned you two are friends?” “I would say they’re more of an acquaintance. However, given more time together, I believe we could become friends.”

This explanation feels reasonable, but there's an inherent imbalance; often, the person I consider an acquaintance regards me as a friend, which creates an awkward situation.

So, I pose this question to you:

What term do you use for someone you've interacted with to a certain extent—perhaps sharing common interests, social circles, or familiarity—but aren’t yet close enough to classify as a true friend?

My criteria are as follows:

• A gender-neutral term
• Suitable for a business or professional environment
• Common enough for 95% or more of people to comprehend
• Free from any implications that I’m undermining the other person’s perception of our relationship

Thank you for your thoughts!

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