I've been an average Internet inhabitant for a few years and have acquired a few quality friends online. Now I know what you must be thinking: "How can you trust these people you've never met? Isn't that unsafe?" Yes, it can be. I will not deny the fact that it is risky, but after experiencing the Internet as a mere spectator, I began to delve into the world that is thriving online. Somehow, the friends I have made online are unique and have helped me gain perspectives I would have never imagined.
1. Timezones
One of you is always awake so if you can't sleep, you are pretty much guaranteed a friend to talk to. You learn the other person's daily routine and time difference so well, it's as if you knew them your entire life.
2. New Languages
3. Long Skype Calls
Since there are rare times when you are both available to talk, your skype calls tend to draw out. However, it very rarely goes noticed. Calls can last anywhere between 1-5 hours and what's amazing is somehow you never run out of things to talk about and stories to tell since you are experiencing completely different lives across the world.
4. Reliable Advisors
They may not physically be with you, but trust me when I say their presence is sometimes louder than the people around you. This may sound crazy, but I have a connection with my friends where we can sense that either of us is "off our game," which some people sitting across the room from us would not be able to pick up on. And since they aren't friends with your friends, they can give unbiased advice on a situation which is helpful for those times when you overthink everything.
5. Surprise Packages
If you're lucky enough to have a friend willing to send you packages from time to time, they are truly the most fun to open. From my experience, they have been filled with immense thought, time and love. Depending on your budgets, there could be a variety of things enclosed, but the fun part is sending them at random times for a special surprise.
6. Worst Sleep Schedules
Since you're up late every night talking to your friend thanks to the evil that is timezones, you never get enough sleep. However, after a few years of experience, you get used to living off of 4 hours of sleep no matter how unhealthy it is.
7. Cultural Exchanges
As cheesy as it sounds, you get to learn about so many other cultures when your friends don't live 5 minutes away from you. Years ago, you couldn't experience another country from the comfort of your home, but now thanks to technology, I got to see beautiful sights of Paris as I was just getting home from work.
8. Always Something New
Since it is the Internet we're talking about, your internet friend is usually on top of all things current and fresh. There's always something new to get interested in--each more exciting than the last.
9. Your Personal Defense System
Before you even get to defend yourself from haters, your friend has already taken the situation into their hands to straighten everything out. And of course, you do the same for them because that is what friendship is about, right?
10. Loyal
Your Internet friends are online most of the time, just like you so they are the first to cheer you up when you're down. Even when they are going through a rough time themselves, you are always important. The best part is this goes both ways and you're always there for them in their times of need as well.
Though the Internet life is not the easiest and is not for everyone, I would say all of us are blessed to have such a unique and special bond with people across the world.
