If you live in America in the 21st century, it is more likely than not that you have seen at least one episode of Friends. As for me, I've seen each episode no less than a few dozen times. I started watching when I was young and would sit in the living room while my parents were watching TV, and I eventually got the DVDs and watched the whole series from start to finish. Although as the sarcastic, awkward, self-deprecating one of the group I identify as a Chandler Bing, I have also always had a soft spot for another character: Phoebe Buffay. Chandler may be the fan favorite, but Phoebe is unequivocally the best character on the show, and here are a few reasons why:
1. She's not afraid to admit that she doesn't have it all figured out.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F07%2F02%2F636030839749077151-805991645_636029806072370905455436593_giphy.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=160&h=5f87ac03b481449a8146fab4bb15dc78fa83e4ba93c7523840cd58a899ba1a49&size=980x&c=2254693051 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F07%252F02%252F636030839749077151-805991645_636029806072370905455436593_giphy.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D160%26h%3D5f87ac03b481449a8146fab4bb15dc78fa83e4ba93c7523840cd58a899ba1a49%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2254693051%22%7D" expand=1]As an independent massage therapist, Phoebe is typically the least financially stable of the Friends, but this doesn't stop her from maintaining her positive disposition. Even when she gets her license revoked for questionable massage tactics, she readily admits her mistake and is still totally able to face the world.
2. She's multi-talented.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F07%2F02%2F6360308397504859672144057814_636029808378685589-1831006212_giphy-1.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=841&h=1c0617f85893db8841a2faf9556c0e855193b4676f07b67114ae98faa44cb0e2&size=980x&c=2929999867 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F07%252F02%252F6360308397504859672144057814_636029808378685589-1831006212_giphy-1.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D841%26h%3D1c0617f85893db8841a2faf9556c0e855193b4676f07b67114ae98faa44cb0e2%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2929999867%22%7D" expand=1]Not only is Phoebe a massage therapist, but she is also a singer-songwriter who accompanies herself on the guitar. Sure, her songs sound more like adult versions of The Wiggles, but what true 90s kid can't recite the words to "Smelly Cat" by heart?
3. She has an awesome sense of style.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F07%2F02%2F636030839750805182-113495459_636029810809118971631898748_giphy-2.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=437&h=a0628fab335379679c4c035f94eca1afc6155d3299f5053fe52399bf785eee43&size=980x&c=6654575 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F07%252F02%252F636030839750805182-113495459_636029810809118971631898748_giphy-2.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D437%26h%3Da0628fab335379679c4c035f94eca1afc6155d3299f5053fe52399bf785eee43%26size%3D980x%26c%3D6654575%22%7D" expand=1]Phoebe's fashion sense is...unique, to say the least. Pigtails are always an option, pretty much any combination of colors works and accessories made out of pom-poms are commonplace. She even makes her own shoes!
4. She's funny when she doesn't mean to be.
Sure, she's no Chandler Bing--but that doesn't mean she isn't just as hilarious. Instead of having a dry, witty sense of humor or making fun of her friends all the time, Phoebe's own genuine musings are often what get the laughs. This sort of honest humor makes for a very charming individual and a great friend.
5. She survived a horrific childhood.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F07%2F02%2F636030839752046052-1501467787_636029816135608257-932404365_giphy-4.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=882&h=e6d543920aaf078561d55db59b1cbe64815e2e9db98d18a5810237bcc2dde054&size=980x&c=1163995875 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F07%252F02%252F636030839752046052-1501467787_636029816135608257-932404365_giphy-4.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D882%26h%3De6d543920aaf078561d55db59b1cbe64815e2e9db98d18a5810237bcc2dde054%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1163995875%22%7D" expand=1]Phoebe alludes to her troubled background many times throughout the series. We learn that after her mother (who turns out to have adopted her at birth) kills herself, Phoebe lives on the streets for many years before presumably moving in with Monica and getting a job as a masseuse. Despite having such a terrible upbringing, Phoebe still remains the most positive out of the group and seems to have adopted the "what doesn't kill me makes me stronger" mantra very well.
6. She's a humanitarian.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F07%2F02%2F636030839753759978-41444776_636029817658303123-586245294_giphy-5.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=266&h=971eb045dbf0f102c7e61e8b39a2e2051276e676c11bc687ff7225d41e5f42c4&size=980x&c=1541213690 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F07%252F02%252F636030839753759978-41444776_636029817658303123-586245294_giphy-5.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D266%26h%3D971eb045dbf0f102c7e61e8b39a2e2051276e676c11bc687ff7225d41e5f42c4%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1541213690%22%7D" expand=1]Whether she's collecting donations for Salvation Army on Christmas day, giving money to the homeless, or donating to PBS even though she hates them, Phoebe always finds a way to bring happiness to those less fortunate than her. She is also an ethical vegetarian so animal rights are clearly important to her as well.
7. She's spontaneous.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F07%2F02%2F6360308397522232521396246892_636029822349941072-1642023311_giphy-6.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=874&h=3302f78234d27e1c890b6b0fccbca858715129ee4480e1b628da0aa627c3e549&size=980x&c=3807637573 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F07%252F02%252F6360308397522232521396246892_636029822349941072-1642023311_giphy-6.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D874%26h%3D3302f78234d27e1c890b6b0fccbca858715129ee4480e1b628da0aa627c3e549%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3807637573%22%7D" expand=1]Phoebe is down for pretty much any adventure at any time of the day. She even renamed herself "Princess Consul Bananahammock" on a whim!
8. She's selfless.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F07%2F02%2F63603083975347001440650717_636029823158502828-1646747296_giphy-7.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=862&h=95527722aa0bfd7cf7af42b414b3eac291c7e992d083295a51cc2b54ff0bf3e8&size=980x&c=2200615649 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F07%252F02%252F63603083975347001440650717_636029823158502828-1646747296_giphy-7.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D862%26h%3D95527722aa0bfd7cf7af42b414b3eac291c7e992d083295a51cc2b54ff0bf3e8%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2200615649%22%7D" expand=1]If the characters from Friends really existed, Phoebe would be your most loyal friend who always has your back no matter what. She always finds ways to help her friends and family in small ways, like trying to teach Joey French, or in big ways, like being a surrogate for her half-brother whom she didn't even grow up with.
9. She can stand up for herself.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F07%2F02%2F636030839754072059-308217616_636029824386930720573592250_giphy-8.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=447&h=7a96933b75e67ddd2e44a0d986c85b02d30b9439275a2d471d794e6ff06d89d4&size=980x&c=3769549997 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F07%252F02%252F636030839754072059-308217616_636029824386930720573592250_giphy-8.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D447%26h%3D7a96933b75e67ddd2e44a0d986c85b02d30b9439275a2d471d794e6ff06d89d4%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3769549997%22%7D" expand=1]Even though she may seem soft on the outside, Phoebe can stand up for herself when she has to. She learned how to take care of herself on the street and brings that strength into her everyday life. She may be sweet, but she is no pushover.
