Don't mix your friends

I have some new friends.  They are really nice people.  and I have some old friends, and they are nice people too.  However, I dont want them talking to eachother unsupervised --or with my observation.

For the simple reason--that old friends can't be trusted to keep your past secrets to themself.

Themself?  Is that a word? Possibly not, but I like it.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about.

My new friends and I were out at the bar after our show to celebrate that we didn't get booed off stage and eat fried food.

One of my new friends brought his OLD friends to join us.  As new friends we were happy to meet them.

While we were settling around the table becuase there's alot of us--before we even get drinks--the old friend says something about my new friend's hair.

I missed the detail of what he said--but I've often wondered about his hair myself, and quickly surmised that his hair was apparently just  slightly older than our friendship...and honestly, I do not care.

But he did.  This is personal information that he has not shared with us.  Much to his old friend's surprise.

My new friend felt that he should come clean, and he pulled out his driver's liscense and presented it to me--

the picture was of him--a middle aged man--except he was bald.  Now he has hair.

and I could tell he felt exposed.by having to reveal to me something he had no intention of ever discussing with me.

Still I had missed the actual conversation and while I had quickly put it all together, I didn't out myself --and I preteneded to not understand why he was showing me this liscense.  I looked at it, and said, "YOu're middle name is John? that's too bad."

to which another New friend whose name is John and --who felt the embarassment as well but didn't want to perpetuate it--said, "what's wrong with JOHN?" and he and I got into a  loud mock arguement over it, while our new friend put the picture of his old self away, and we moved on to other things to talk about that are more interesting to everyone.

I think our new friend--and his old friend, were greatful for our tact in  difussing thier embarassment of the situation .

and that's why you should never mix friends.  Some of your old friends may not realize you aren't so open with all of your new friends.