HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU NEED?

A British behavioral psychologist says he’s come up with the exact number of friends you need to be successful. In his latest book, Friends: Understanding the Power of our Most Important Relationships, author Robin Dunbar looked at scientific research into human groups and has determined that 150 is the “magic number” of friends needed for success. But not all of them are what you would call “close friends.” He says that, historically, 150 was the number of people you lived and worked among, in factories, small villages and military units, where everyone knows each other’s names and skills and are willing to help each other when needed – this is his definition of “success.” Here’s his breakdown of how many “friends” you need to have:
– Intimate friends: 5 (who would donate a kidney to you)
– Supportive friends: 12 to 15 (who would be distraught if you died)
– Good friends: 50 (who would be invited to your birthday party, but not a dinner party)
– Regular friends: 150 (who you meet at weddings and school reunions)
* What kind of crazy unicorn world is this guy living in?
* I can’t even name five people, not counting celebrities.
* Does being Friended on Facebook count? ‘Cause I could invite people to friend me with one person being randomly awarded five dollars. That might get me to 150.
* Just remember – that may be enough friends to be successful, but not enough to be successful selling Amway.
* Ask someone slaving away in an Amazon warehouse with 150 other people if they feel successful.