Social Poaching Kills Friendships

Be careful who your friends are. And who your friends’ friends are. Because they might be your friends.
 

Confused?
 

You should be. It’s all part of a phenomenon called “social poaching,” when your friends “steal” your other friends, without your permission. A sociologist explains that this practice can leave you feeling hurt and lead to the demise of your original relationship. One guy quoted on CNN had mixed emotions about what he called, “homey hopping.” (It’s clearly been a slow summer for the “news” network.)
 

It’s all very L.C.-Heidi-Audrina-esque.
 

It’s also very kindergarten if you ask me.
 

Why can’t we all just get along, a wise person once asked. So who cares if your sorority friend is now befriending your roommate who stayed in touch with your pal from home who visited? As long as they keep you in the loop and included, things should be fine. Plus you can steal their friends and even the score!
 

And honestly, does “social poaching” really need to be a sociologically defined event? There’s got to be better trends out there to dissect… like who thought up those crazy gladiator shoes?