One of the many internet memes that went viral on Facebook (FB) recently was about a man who had just five persons at his funeral even though he had some 4,000 odd 'FB friends'. The popular notion is that social networking sites have taken a toll on real world friendships, but there are many in the city who believe that the warmth of a friend's hug has no substitute in the 'likes', 'shares' or 'pokes' of the virtual world.
When TOI walked across the town on the eve of Friendship Day, Patnaites said it was not fair to compare the real and virtual world friendships as both were on totally different platforms. Social networking sites are more about keeping in touch or connecting with old friends or acquaintances and less about making new friends, feels Ashish Kumar, a Patna College student. "The 'friends' on FB or Twitter are for increasing our network. The 'real friends', in the traditional sense of the term, are those with whom we hang out daily or share our good and bad times," he said, maintaining that both have separate places in life.
Gola Road resident Ruchika Sharma believes that spending a couple of hours on FB is a good pastime and should not be confused with friendship. "Having FB and Twitter accounts does not mean that I'm aloof from my 'worldly friends'. I still spend lots of time hanging out with them," says Ruchika, a beautician, adding that she'll catch up Salman's latest flick 'Kick' with two of her buddies on Sunday.
While Friendship Day messages and quotes have already started filtering in on the websites, many are also changing their profile pics with their friends. Customized friendship bands, gifts and greetings have flooded the internet.
But, real world friends cannot be replaced with the online friends, says Kumar Prateek, who's preparing for banking exams. "All talks of social networking sites damaging friendships are generalized. There may be reports of untoward incidents due to the internet, but it totally depends on the wisdom of the users," says Prateek, who plans to wish his friends through midnight phone calls.
If anything, social networking or free messaging websites keep friends connected with each other. "I have over 500 friends on FB. But, the few with whom I spend my waking hours will remain special throughout my life," says Aishwarya Singh, an engineering student who's home in semester break.
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