 Five Ways to Maintain a Friendship by Professor Robin Dunbar Friendships depend on having things, interests, beliefs in common. So work at keeping your values aligned. See your friend as often as you can, otherwise phone, video call, or text if you stop seeing them. The friendship will inexorably decay. Being with your friend is more important than giving gifts. Laugh a lot, happy people make the best friends. Be generous with your time, love, and money. Always make sure your friends are in your debt.