I don't think we choose our friends. They are people who cross our path in life whose company we like. Often there are common interests, but they don't always perfectly align, but they are our friends because they possess some intangible quality that we find appealing. And, like anyone in life, if they treat us badly, even after years of friendship, we let them go. So friendship isn't necessarily a life-long thing. We all change, and the person we thought was so fun at 18 can seem not so much at 30 when we have gone through adult experiences that shape us.

I check their bank accounts.

I stand in a crowded area and shout, "Hey, who wants to be my friend?"

I think the most important thing is to find out if the person is friendly at all times, not only when you are well, but in bad times as well.

Then it is good to have the same principles and interests in common.

I believe that a good friendship should have compatibility. It means they have to have similar thoughts, hobbies, and interests. That helps a lot to a friendship to work out. I try to choose my friends in that way. I know my best friends are with me in my bad and good times.