The share of young people who say they have a close friend has plummeted ... also saw the largest declines in hanging out with friends, strongly suggesting a direct relationship.

In today's Asking Eric column, R. Eric Thomas responds to a question about how to deal with friends who constantly complain about everything.

We understand why you are upset. How do you make sense of your negative associations with your friends “talking about you” when they hang out and “not inviting you because they hate you”?

After two and a half pints, we made the ritual excuses about busy lives, and the night began heading to a safe, early close ... no-one. A friend of mine is good at hanging out.