Anna Goldfarb

And a lot of it is because, you know, education, where we go away to college and we meet people of all genders, we become close.

And then usually our friendships fall off a cliff around 30.

And that's because we're partnering up.

And like I said, friendships that are a threat to the romantic bond are the first to go.

And that's because men...

generally aren't socialized to fight for their friendships.

And if there's some sort of conflict, if their new partner isn't comfortable with a friend of an opposite gender, they're not going to be socialized to have that conversation.

And to be like, they don't want to put their new partner in a bad light.

They just aren't socialized to navigate that.

It's just not what they're going to do.

So a lot of these friendships fall apart unless you can find a way that your friendship isn't threatening to your romantic partner.

So it's not impossible, but it is much harder.

It is much harder, which is a shame.

I understand why people feel that way.

I make new friends really easily, but I've always been the new kid in town.

I've been to 10 different schools before eighth grade.

I've always been the new kid in town.

I live in Philly where I didn't grow up here.

So I think that I'm especially attuned to this because I've always had to put the effort in.

But I love making new friends, and I always start by saying, how can I help you?