Be Accepting
I need a friend who accepts me the way I am. And that means everything from the good to the crazy. Also, they need to understand that although I consider myself to be good friend I do lack in some areas, specifically the art of remembering birthdays and other milestones. So I didn't call! It doesn't mean I don't love you! Just accept that!

Be Nice
I know it seems like a ridiculous thing to say but I know of too many people who are "friends" with people even though they are not really nice to them. Maybe they feel obligated to remain this person's friend for some reason but I say, life is to damn short. Being mean to someone who you think of as a friend is just plain childish. So be nice to me or you are not invited to my birthday party.

Be Funny
I think I am funny. I am pretty sure my friends think I am funny. And I know they are funny. When the person you can cry with about anything from the loss of a loved one to a hole in your new favorite jeans is the same person that can have to you rolling on the floor laughing until your stomach hurts, that to me is the mark of a true friend. Life can be so hard and crappy most of the time and if the people you are surrounded by can't make you laugh about it, then what is the point?

Act your age
If I were answering this question at age 14, then yes, being loud and obnoxious at the food court of the mall would be totally appropriate. But I am not 14, I am quickly nearing 30 and I no longer think it is cool to be embarrassing in public. What ever your age, handle yourself with dignity and grace, please.

But please understand, I am talking about in public. As I said, I am nearing 30 and to me, acting your age to me also means we all get together, down a few bottles of wine and a couple of cheese plates and have ourselves some fun. Because you know what? Drunk with your friends off a bottle of a nice Pinot is totally age appropriate.

What I could have done to answer this question was just list the names of all my friends and describe their traits. They are exactly what anyone would want in a friend. But, fearing that I would not be able to do so without telling some embarrassing story about each one which would then probably result in being disowned by each of my friends was not worth the risk. I went with a more generic list instead.