Expectation vs reality: Busting the myths around female friendships

If sitcoms and movies are to be believed, female friendships have a tendency to float upon some very troubled waters at times.

And while we know friendships go through their ups and downs, the ones we share with the ladies in our life are among some of the very most important.

Whether you're part of an enormous social group or can count your BFFs on one hand, you'll know that female friendships exist on a foundation of humour, inappropriate emoji-use, mutual support and much, much love.

Here we debunk the myths that often surround female friendships, and highlight the reality of the female friendship that we all know and enjoy.

So, without further ado, here are 6 myths about the friendships you share with the ladies in your life that couldn't be further from the truth…

1. Myth: You speak to each other at least 15 times a day.

Reality: Yes, your various messaging groups may be lit all day every day, but that doesn't mean everyone is contributing, and sometimes you just have to mute the whole damn thing.

A week could pass without you properly engaging with your girlfriends, but hey, you know when you do decide to drop that meme, they'll be ready with a corker of their own.

"I saw this and immediately thought of you."

2. Myth: You share every detail of your romantic lives

Reality: Indeed, there was once a time when you knew everything about your pal's dating life, from whether her beau pulled out her seat to whether he swooped in for a kiss at the bus stop, but now some things are sacred.

Unless something particularly spectacular happened on a date, you generally don't need to know about the intimate details of her dating life, except to ask how it went. 

The days of blow by blow accounts are over- once she's having fun and being spoilt that's what matters.

"Please don't make me add up how much you spent on drinks after your new Tinder boy suggested going to that swanky new bar."

3. Myth: You fill your WhatsApp thread with girlie inspirational quotes.

Reality: Yes, us ladies are all about the mutual support, but when it comes to sharing inspirational quotes, we're just not about that life.

If a friend needs cheering up, we opt for a relatable meme about the horror that is adult life, and then tell her to order a Dominos.

"Get yourself a cheesy garlic bread there, and check back in with us once you've finished it."

4. Myth: You would choose a night on the town over anything else.

Reality: It might be damn hard to get everyone in the same bar at the same time, but when it comes to congregating on a couch, everyone manages it.

If you want to see your mates, you put out a call for the couch not the cocktails.

"I'll come if I don't have to put on make-up, and if I'm given the tartan throw that's normally on the two-seater."

5. Myth: You know each others' wardrobes like your own

Reality: While we are well versed in the various cornerstone pieces of our bestie's wardrobes, sometimes she whips out a piece that surprises us. 

Sure, you update them on every single new purchase via Snapchat, but that's just because you need their help on deciding whether to buy it. 

"Oh this old thing? Sure I wore this to that GAA social when we were 18."

6. Myth: You give out about each other to your other friends.

Reality: That may have been the order of the day in secondary school when insecurities got the better of all of us, but these days, you say it like it is.

Feeling the need to call your friend out on something is generally either for their own good, or the good of the friendship, and not something you shy away from.

"Why have you blanked my last 8 texts? You better have a good reason because I don't have the time to be guessing if you're annoyed with me."