High Life / A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Keeping a Date With Friendship

L.A. Times Archives

June 27, 1991 12 AM PT

Honesty and loyalty are components of friendship, and so is keeping a date, whether it’s going to the movies or to prom.

But what if a rock star asked you out? Or a beautiful girl came walking along? Does that date still seem as important?

Though honesty seems the best policy, isn’t having a little fun and adventure more inviting? Is it better to be a true friend or to add some spice to your life?

Hot Topics asks, “Would you break a date with a friend if ‘something better’ came along?”

“No, because once you make a commitment you have to stick with it. It wouldn’t be fair to the other person involved.”

Catherine Oelschia, 14, sophomore, Troy

“Instead of breaking the date I’d just bring them along with me. The more the merrier.”

Marshall Zimmerman, 14, freshman, Troy

“No, because I keep my promises.”

Matt Kleinsmith, 15, sophomore, Brea-Olinda

“Yes, if that other person is more important or is a closer friend.”

Christine Kim, 15, sophomore, Sunny Hills

“No, definitely not. I believe that when you make a commitment to meet somebody, you should follow through with that commitment.”

Laura Mutter, 15, sophomore, Troy

“I don’t think I would. It would be inconsiderate and rude. I know I would really want to do the other thing, but I’d probably be thinking about it while I was out with my other friend.”

Sharon Lee, 14, freshman, El Dorado

“Sure! Why not? You only live once, so don’t waste it.”

Will Streit, 17, senior, Servite

“No, because being a good friend is important, and if I was a good friend I would be considerate enough to go with my friend instead of going for the better opportunity.”

Nicole Laicato, 14, freshman, El Dorado

“Yes, if the person is cuter and if he is a friend I’ve known for a long time.”

Claudia Kim, 14, sophomore, Sunny Hills

“Never. I wouldn’t want someone to do it to me, so I wouldn’t do it to another person.”

Susan Goodwater , 15, sophomore, Los Alamitos

“No matter how appealing the offer seems, it’s dishonest and rude.”

Natalie Wu, 15, sophomore, Rosary

“Yeah. I mean, we’re all bad sometime or another.”

Brian Kim, 14, freshman, Valencia

“No. It’s inconsiderate of the others feelings. . . . That’s being real selfish.”

Donna Smith, 14, freshman, Loara

“No way; what’s being a true friend all about?”

Sara Kamp, 14, freshman, Anaheim

“Only if it was an emergency.”

Sarah Henry, 15, junior, El Dorado

“No. I’d feel guilty being with that other person and I wouldn’t have a good time either way.”

Farrah Martin, 15, sophomore, Fullerton

“It really depends on what the other person looks like.”

Charles Kelly, 16, junior, Sonora

“No, because I already made plans and that would be rude. I would hope the other people would understand and I would reschedule.”

Tracy Sanchez, 13,

freshman, Fullerton

“It depends on the situation. If the person I’m breaking a date with is really close and we always go out, then I think it would be OK because he/she would understand . . . hopefully.”

Ellen MacNamara, 17, senior, Brea-Olinda

“Only if the other person was Madonna.”

Tony Martinez, 13,

freshman, Capistrano Valley

“No, because it would be rude and would cause a fight between you and your friend.”

Nicole Rimmer, 13,

freshman, Brea-Olinda

“No, because if you truly were a friend you would care for them and go with what you first planned.”

Chrissy Steelman, 13,

freshman, Fullerton

“No, I have to keep my priorities straight.”

Mikki Stuart, 14, freshman, Fullerton