Global Breaking News - Wednesday, October 7, 2026

  Some people choose friends who are different from themselves. Others choose friends who are similar to themselves. Compare the advantages of having friends who are different from you with the advantages of having friends who are similar to you. Which kind of friend do you prefer for yourself? Why?

There are a lot of advantages to having friends who are different from you. For one thing, they'll give you a different way of looking at the world. Friends who are different can introduce you to foods, music, politics, and books you've never tried before. If you're a spontaneous kind of person, someone who is more scheduled can help you get better organized. You, on the other hand, can help them loosen up a little bit, and do things more on the spur of the moment.
* introduce = 소개하다 / politics = 정치, 정치학 / spontaneous = 즉흥적인 / organized = 체계화된, 정리된, 조직화된 / loosen up = 긴장을 풀다, 느슨하게 하다 / spur = 박차

Someone who is different from you won't have the same reaction to situations. This can be a big help. If you're the kind of person who gets very impatient waiting for your meal in a restaurant, it helps to have someone calm with you. Your friend can help you keep your temper. If you're a little timid about standing up for yourself, a more assertive friend can help you develop a little more self-respect.
* reaction = 반응 / impatient = 짜증난, 안달하는, 못 견디는 / calm = 침착한, 차분한 / keep your temper = 성질을 참다, 화를 참다 / timid = 소심한, 용기 없는 / stand up for = 옹호하다, 지지하다 / assertive = 적극적인, 확신에 찬 / self-respect = 자기 존중, 자존감

However, there can also be advantages to having friends who are similar to you. You usually enjoy doing the same things, so you don't have to argue about what you want to do. Sometimes it's fun experiencing new things. Other times, it's more fun doing what you know you'll enjoy.
* be similar to = ~와 비슷하다

All things considered, I think I'd like to have a lot of acquaintances who are different and a few close friends who are similar to me. That seems the best of both worlds.
* All things considered = 모든 것을 고려해볼 때 / acquaintances = 아는 사람, 지인, 친분