okay, this is very good question! well, itz not limited only in china who simply would call stranger or first meet as friend! i'm surely tell you, this happen in most of asian custom. this kinda expression, is our asian custom and lives' philosophy. 1) we are friendly from the inner for stranger. 2) we're simply making friends with others. 3) the word "friend" means, ppl who we just gota know 1 minutes we're start to used "friend" to call them instead of their name! yeah, and so on. when i talk to stranger esp westerners. they are frightened lotz becuz i call them "my friend" . and at the same time, when they replied, "i'm not your friend" this word also surprised us(asian) too! and we start to think this person is not friendly at all!

Well, there are half a billion girls in China. That leaves a lot of different interpretations for just about anything. In general, Mainland Chinese go quite easy on the concept "friend". Don't get frightened, young man. They won't bite (unless she is from Wuhan).

it is not a question of language, it is only a question of "culture". chinese are outgoing,easy-going, "friend" here just represent welcome and "glad to chat with you". it does not regard it as a certain purpose. obviously, it shows that the different culture background has different expression custom.

Instead of worrying that you are considered a friend, you should be feeling honoured. Obviously you have made a good impression, and the person feels comfortable talking to you. It does not mean they 'want' anything, except friendly chat. There are many degrees of friendship, from casual acquaintance to Best Friends Forever (or, as pre-teens like to say, BFF). It is unlikely that in 30 minutes she considers you her BFF.

there also several meanings about"friend" it can translate many different chinese words like guys/dude/body/...... but friendship is exactly describe which are truely deeply emotion between friends.