It is always better to have few or even no friends than to have friends whose presence pulls us down or triggers negative feelings in us. Social events and family functions is a different matter. Generally, it is best to avoid too much of these things and keep it to the minimum if one is not too comfortable.
It is certainly a help, even a great help sometimes, as it reinforces our good and beautiful side and aspects. Of course provided we do not drag them down or bring out their worse side. We must also remember that genuinely good people are very rare and one has to learn to look behind appearances to find them.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
