How the Americans V iew F riendship Steve and Yaser first met in their chemistry class at an American university . Yaser was an international student from Jordon (约旦) . 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 have lunch with him . But after the semester 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 fo r 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 acquaintances and close companions “friends . ” These friendships are based on common interests . When the shared activity ends , the friendship may fade ( 逐渐消失 ) . 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 . 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 ( 易变的 ) . Learning how Americans view friendship can help non - Americans avoid misunderstandings . It can also help them make friends the American way .