Friendship in Its Many Forms

People used to believe that the Inuit had many words for snow. They don't, really. But I thought it might be handy to have a list of the many types of friendships out there.

MATES
At the top of the list is what Australians call mateship. Basically, mates are like brothers -- such good friends that they'd put up with practically anything from each other. Sometimes mateships form naturally among like-minded people, and sometimes they occur as a result of belonging to a tight group, like a gang. I think that they're even more closely tied than BFFs. Mates are extremely protective of each other. If your wife kicked you out, a mate might take you in almost indefinitely. Most people are lucky if they have even one mate. Mates don't share secrets even under pain of death or jail time.
Checklist
Would put you up in their home: Indefintely
Will attend your funeral? Yes
Actually care for you: Probably

BEST FRIENDS
There's no clear distinction between 'mate' and 'best friend.' Maybe they're identical, tho with 'mates' I get the impression that going out for a pint now and then is a requirement, whereas best friends seem a bit more sedate. You could tell a secret to a best friend, but if death or jail time became involved, you might find your friendship changing to something else.
Checklist
Would put you up in their home: A week, give or take, owing to normal circumstances
Will attend your funeral? Yes
Actually care for you: Definitely

GOOD FRIENDS
This is to make the distinction for that grey area between BEST FRIEND and FRIEND. To me, the GOOD FRIEND is one of a small group of people whom you could depend on for a variety of things, from a spare bed when necessary to a last-minute movie date that involves postponing a few errands or finding a babysitter. Good friends are the ones who laugh at your bad jokes and would be happy to drop everything to help you. You can depend on seeing each other pretty often, too.

FRIENDS
This term is pretty loose these days. I guess that in its highest form, a friend is someone you can confide in pretty confidently and who will be happy to hang out with you or to chat on the phone. There is no expectation that you 'should' get together at certain holidays or religious events, but it would be nice if you did. Friends are last level where you'd expect them to attend your funeral.
Checklist
Would put you up in their home: Three nights, max. After that, you're either out, or your relationship is even stronger than you thought. Like the saying about fish (after three days, they start smelling bad).
Will attend your funeral? Yes, unless something really important intervenes.
Actually care for you: Yes, and would probably cry at that funeral

BUDDIES
These are people you hang out with well, but you're not about to make plans to see each other often.
Checklist
Would put you up in their home: One night, max
Will attend your funeral? If convenient.
Actually care for you: Probably, but no tears at the funeral.

ACQUAINTANCES
In the Venn diagram of social circles, an acquaintance is a narrow pointy oval. Your lives barely overlap, and you certainly don't yet know each other enough to be friends. As for the funeral: They'll find out about it and remark, "Oh, he's dead? I knew that guy. We were friends."

One thing they don't tell you before you plan a move from City A to City B is that your friendships will be tested. Some will dissolve, others will change to a different level.