A controversial tweet went viral on X about Ubers, friendships, and inconveniences. User Codie Sanchez posted a harmless screenshot of her conversation with a friend, with a caption of “As an adult, don’t ask your friends to pick you up from the airport. Use uber, save a friendship.” This tweet garnered more than 8,000 quotes, 1,500 replies, and 25 million views because many disagree with her.
One of them is TikTok user Adella Afadi who wants to bring back inconveniences. Why? Well, long story short, inconvenience brings a surface level relationship to a deep and meaningful one. I agree with her, more often than not inconvenience bridges the gap between an acquaintance and a lifelong friend. It brings you closer than ever when a person goes out of their way to do something for you, like telling you honest criticism, writing you a letter, or hanging out in your favorite cafe over the weekend regardless of distance.
These acts may be “inconvenient” as the internet allows us to communicate with anyone and everyone, through a message, a call, or even a post. However, the value of these acts are in its meaning— which is why during the pandemic, we felt more than ever the need to be physically present. Online communication is still not the same as face-to-face communication. This is what Jelli is for— regardless of the barriers we face in communication, we want you to be able to meet your friends, communicate clearly, and foster a deeper connection with them.
Perhaps we now see friendship as an exchange where we need to get the best value in every possible way, just like how we view the rest of the world— but let me change your mind. A friendship is an equal exchange. However, an equal exchange doesn’t always look equal; just as how a full glass would only fill half of another glass, and the same glass would overflow in another. At the end of the day, we are all different glasses and what we have are not inherently equal.
Sometimes, we will be inconvenienced because that’s just how life is. We may need more than what they can offer and vice versa! Life is not meant to be smooth sailing no matter how convenient technology makes it to be. Regardless of the ease we do anything and everything with a few clicks, life continues to be difficult. But with a friend, it’s much easier to go through these troubles, because you have a companion to share it with. And as they say, a burden shared is a burden halved.
There are times that what we need more than anything is a listening ear, a helping hand, an open shoulder, an open mind, and proper communication, and all these need a willing friend. A friend who is going out of their way, to be inconvenienced, and show that you have someone in this troublesome world. Be that friend as well. Go out of your way to get a thoughtful gift (a Jelli mask *wink*). Initiate honest conversations.. Remember their important celebrations and celebrate them. The beauty of a friendship is in its mutual affection: in different forms, but always being present and giving your all, regardless of inconveniences.
Reference/s:
Afadi, A. (n.d.). “Petition to ressurect the art of inconveniencing our friends 🗣️”. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@adellaafadi/video/7397479072059657504
Sanchez, C. (n.d.). “As an adult, don’t ask your friends to pick you up from the airport. Use uber, save a friendship. https://t.co/O12x2wJKZr” / X. X (Formerly Twitter). https://x.com/codie_sanchez/status/1629563662200451075?s=46