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Category : Philosophy
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Date Submitted: 05/26/2011 08:21 AM
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Familiarity Can Become A Negative Trait Among Friends

“Familiarity Breeds Contempt.” Meaning.

Something that you say which means if you know someone very well or experience something a lot, you stop respecting them.

"Familiarity Breeds Contempt. Origins.

" This saying has its origins in one of Aesop’s fables:

When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony.

"Familiarity Breeds Contempt"

Of course this isn't true of all relationships but in terms of our every day lives it tends to hold true. Giving a little less is often the wiser route to take in any relationship whether it be romantically inclined or purely friendship based.

Interpersonal relationships determine the kind of relationship people have and success of such relations. People are attracted to certain people because of social reasons, this enables us establish rapport with our colleagues. Positive social attitude towards certain people coupled with regular interaction develops a sense of familiarity which in due course develops into an attraction.

Reciprocity strongly relates to attraction, this is because it is self-affirming to relate to a person who is agreeable. It boosts an individual’s self-esteem and one tends to reciprocate by liking the other person in return. Liking the other person in most cases leads to attraction. Reciprocity between people gives rise to attraction because people tend to interact fully with people who are ready to return their feelings.

Reciprocity strongly relates to attraction, this is because it is self-affirming to relate to a person who is agreeable. It boosts an...

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