Only About Half of Your Friends Like You

                Think of all the people with whom you interact during the course of a day, week, month, and year. All those who, by some accident of fate, inhabit your world. And then ask yourself who among them are your friends – your true friends. Only about half of perceived friendships are mutual. That is, someone you think is your friend might not be so keen on you or, vice versa. It’s a startling finding that has prompted much discussion among psychologists, organizational behavior experts and sociologists. Some blame human beings’ basic optimism, if not egocentrism, for the disconnect between perceived and actual friendships. It’s a concern because the authenticity of one’s relationships has an enormous impact on one’s health and well-being. People don’t like to hear that the people they think of as friends don’t name them as friends. Poor perception of friendship ties limits the ability to promote behavioral change.

                It’s easier to say what friendship is not and foremost, it is not instrumental. It is not a means to obtain higher status, wangle an invitation to someone’s home or simple escape your own boredom. Rather, friendship is more like beauty or art, which kindles something deep within us. Treating friends like investments or commodities is anathema to the whole idea of friendship. Friendship is people you take the time to understand and allow to understand you. Because time is limited, so, too, is the numbers of friends you can have.

Car Drivers 4 Kg Heavier Than Cyclists

                People who drive cars as their main form of transport are on average four kilogram heavier than those who cycle. In the ongoing study, researchers have so far monitored 11,000 volunteers in seven European cities, asking them how they move around the city, which mode of transport they use and how much time they spend travelling. The project also asks volunteers to record their height and weight, and to provide information about their attitudes towards walking and bicycling. And analysis of the data so far shows that those people who drive cars as their main form of transport are on average four kilogram heavier than those who cycle.

                The physical activity through sustainable transport approaches project is studying how different forms of transport relate to levels of physical activity, and consequently people’s health. While the researchers cannot yet draw a causal link between the type of transport people choose and their weight, they said the initial results are intriguing and hope that by following more people they can draw some firmer conclusions. They don’t have the cause and effect yet.