Steve and Yaser first met in their chemistry class at an American university．Yaser was an international student from Jordon．He wanted to learn more about American culture and hoped that he and Steve would become good friends．At first，Steve seemed very friendly．He always greeted Yaser warmly before class．Sometimes he offered to study with Yaser．He even invited Yaser to eat lunch with him．But after the semester1) was over，Steve seemed more distant．The two former classmates didn't see each other very much at school．One day Yaser decided to call Steve．Steve didn't seem very interested in talking to him．Yaser was hurt by Steve's change of attitude．“Steve said we were friends，”Yaser complained，“and I thought friends were friends for ever．”Yaser is a little confused．As foreigner，he doesn't understand the way American view friendship．Americans use the word “friend” in a very general way．They may call both casual acquaintances2) and close companions “friends．” These friendships are based on common interests．When the shared activity ends，the friendship may fade3)．Now as Steve and Yaser are no longer classmates，their “friendship” has changed．In some cultures friendship means a strong life－long bond between two people．In these cultures friendships develop slowly，since they are built to last．American society is one of rapid change．Studies show that one out of five American families moves every year．American friendships develop quickly，and they may change just as quickly．People from the United States may at first seem friendly．Americans often chat easily with strangers．But American friendliness is not always an offer of true friendship．After an experience like Yaser's people who've been in this country for only a few months may consider Americans to be fickle．Learning how Americans view friendship can help non－Americans avoid misunderstandings．It can also help them make friends the American way．

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