Quiz: Are You Your Sister’s Keeper?

Mostly A.s: You are your sister’s keeper. No question. You go above and beyond the call of friendly duty, and even if your friend isn’t always in a position to respond in kind, you’re okay with that, as long as she isn’t willfully taking advantage of you. Even though you take your friendships seriously, remember that you don’t always have to be so selfless. It can be just as unhealthy to give too much of yourself as it is to give too little.

Mostly B.s: You’re your sister’s keeper, but only to the extent that it’s convenient for you. You’re about self-preservation. Parts of your self and your time are sacred. You don’t abide too many intrusions. This doesn’t mean you’re a poor friend; it just means that you won’t drop everything you’re doing for someone else, unless it’s absolutely necessary. This can be a good thing. Moderation minimizes a multitude of headaches–and it keeps you from getting too enmeshed in your friends’ hardships and dramas. But be sure that you aren’t withholding help you can afford to give, just because you’d feel mildly inconvenienced if you gave it.

Mostly C.s: You don’t consider yourself your sister’s keeper. At all. Women are strong enough to fend for themselves. You have. And sometimes–no, most of the time–tough love and a bit of unsolicited advice can really be the wake-up call your girl needs to keep some of these things from happening to her. If she’s falling apart emotionally, you’ll help her through it for the first few days. After that, she needs to pull herself together and she doesn’t need you to rearrange your life for that to happen. If she needs money and you won’t miss it if you loan it, you don’t have a problem giving it. But it’s the small, small loan amount that you won’t miss. If it’s more than a hundred, she needs to find another way. You can be a good friend. In fact, in cases when tough love is necessary, you’re the best kind of friend to have. But remember that sensitivity is just as important as sternness, and patience inspires far more gratitude than exasperation.

How did you score?