Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer.

The line defines friendship not by longevity, shared interests, or loyalty in crisis, but by a quieter discipline: attentive presence. By stressing that true friends both inquire and “wait,” it contrasts genuine concern with the social reflex of asking “How are you?” as a polite script. The “rare people” phrasing underscores how uncommon sustained listening is in hurried, self-focused conversation. The quote’s significance lies in its ethical claim about relationships: care is demonstrated through time, patience, and receptivity—making space for another person’s real answer rather than steering immediately back to oneself.