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[Xvareon]

[DISCLAIMER]: Those of you who have a significant issue with the MLP: FiM fandom (aka. Bronies) may want to calmly click away from this thread.


Greetings, Bay 12 Forumers. I've got an issue I need some advice on; or rather, advice on the behalf of someone else. You see, I have a friend online who is looking for something very particular in life, something that he's not even sure exists, yet is extremely important to him.

He is looking for someone who would agree to be his sister. Not on a familial basis, or anything, but just so they could both treat each other like brother and sister; like a very deep friendship with a specific name, basically.

However, he's not looking for just anyone for this; it has to be someone with at least some of a set of certain personality traits. The personality in question is that of Rainbow Dash, a character from the viral hit TV series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. My friend says that it's because she has such a vibrant, bright and alive personality; is never afraid to express her feelings; is nice and easygoing; and, most importantly, she absolutely hates being bored, so she'll always try to do something new and different, or just generally changing things to stop it from being gray and dull.

Granted, many of the other main characters in MLP: FiM have some of these same traits, but my friend claims that RD (Rainbow Dash) has these in the most abundance. He respects and admires this kind of progressive, free-thinking and happiness-seeking personality more than anything, since he's so used to seeing almost nothing but ignorance, apathy and general negative thinking in nearly all of the people he's met throughout his life.

What I'm asking of you guys is simply to provide whatever advice, stories or help you can on this subject. If you know anyone who you respect for having a bright, positive and progressive attitude (especially under pressure) and for changing things rather than sitting still, please post your example/story here. If you can provide any examples of unrelated people treating each other like brothers or sisters—or even just share your own thoughts on the subject—it would be a huge help. My friend is simply looking for evidence that people with a personality at least similar to Rainbow Dash do in fact exist in real life, because he hasn't seen them for himself, yet. And also, he's very curious (and anxious) about the idea of having a sister like that, because it still feels weird and awkward to him, and he's not sure how people would react to it.

So, if any of you can clear up either or both of these two questions, I would be extremely grateful.
A) If someone with a personality at least somewhat similar to Rainbow Dash from MLP: FiM does in fact exist in reality
B) If you can either provide an example or just share your thoughts on the idea of treating an unrelated person/friend like a brother or sister

Discuss.

[Cheeetar]

That's unhealthy to the extreme, and I'd imagine that anybody who was sought after as a friend because they were 'just like Rainbow Dash!' would be offended at the least. Bonds that would be deep enough as to be like a brother or sister are something that evolve over time, and he won't find what he's seeking if he tries to imitate that kind of relationship soon after meeting a person.

[Scelly9]

1: Yes, they do exist. Although what Cheeetar just said is also true.
2: My very best friend is basically a brother. Well, mostly. We've reached the stage of friendship where it's basically half insults, and half hilariously inappropriate sexual comments. Again, what Cheeetar said is true.

[Eagleon]

Tell your friend that ignorance, apathy, and negative thinking exists in everyone, in varying amounts. Everyone hates being bored, but often they're unwilling to go out of their way to try something new out of the possibility that it might be dull as well - most people learn this out of experience by the time they're able to speak. People are not cartoon characters, and that's a good thing. If your friend is insistent on seeking out one specific set of character traits from people, he's bound to be dissatisfied when that person ends up not particularly enamored of him in return.

Not saying I don't like MLP, or that it doesn't have some nicer role-models for girls than other shows. It's just rather strange to expect anyone to behave the same way as a cartoon horse D:
(herp derp misread op edit)

[Tiruin]

Let me tell you a simple note about life. All those qualities you ask for are exhibited by more than 90% of the general population. However, the thing is that in order for such friendships to occur, the person who seeks for one must also be a friend in return. Cultivate what qualities you know are good, and act it out as good as you see fit.

However judging people just by observation and relating it 'because they fit x character or y's personality' is...well, a superficial note. A person cannot be judged by skin alone just as much as a book cannot be judged by their cover. There will be negative parts to personality as well as positive parts, and expectations, however honest, may be fallible.

Cheeetar gets the point. If you wish to make bonds like that, then create them yourself as they are mutual. Try looking in the nearest people to you and start there-do not discard people just by first impressions.

So, if any of you can clear up either or both of these two questions, I would be extremely grateful.
A) If someone with a personality at least somewhat similar to Rainbow Dash from MLP: FiM does in fact exist in reality
B) If you can either provide an example or just share your thoughts on the idea of treating an unrelated person/friend like a brother or sister

That kind of personality exists in reality. It depends more on a person's character than personality though.
And on B, treat that person already as a friend. Discard all barriers of communication and bias. Do not look upon them as something to be judged, but accept them for who they basically are.

[weenog]

Tell your friend to try becoming what he hopes to find.  If he does it successfully, he will meet similar people almost inadvertently; they'll tend to gravitate to the same places and activities.

You want to meet a strength trainer? Hit the gym.  Want a fisherman? Go to the shores.  Seeking a hands-on humanitarian?  Head down to the local shelter or soup kitchen.  Seeking someone like yourself, that's easy.  Go where you go.

---

Met my significant other in a forum about a disorder we both struggle with.  It's a weird relationship but it works.

[Jelle]

It doesn't seem particularly healthy to fixate on such a very specific persona, especially a fictional one that exists only in an (idylic? Have only really watched two episodes) cartoon world. The complexity of a real persona is probaly an order of magnitute above that of your fictional one. Furthermore a real persona comes with flaws (or what is considered as a flaw by the observer) and all, to expect aything like such and ideal image will lead to sore disapointment.

Without knowing more about this friend of yours, I think his want rather shallow and the relation he seeks very one sided. Not to say this is the case, but that is the impression I get. I'm sure the kind of person he is looking for exists, but he won't find her while searching for a cartoon character.

A) If someone with a personality at least somewhat similar to Rainbow Dash from MLP: FiM does in fact exist in reality

That said to answer the question. Based on your criteria, because again I don't really watch the show, I'd say I'm a pretty solid fit. Not that I'm female, or would be even remotely interested if I were, just saying. Probably not that adverse to boredom, but again cartoon characters tend to be on the extreme ends of personality spectrums, real persona are often more balanced.

[freeformschooler]

Those are high/unrealistic expectations, and your friend is likely going to be disappointed. The best experiences in life are often ones you didn't account for (they exceeded your expectations). Same goes for many of the best friendships.

He could always, y'know, try Internet roleplaying. On the Internet, no one knows you're not a pony.

[Neonivek]

Now I've seen the show (I give anything a chance) and the characters in it are supposed to be extremes (Except Twilight Sparkle but.. she is the main character, she is the only one allowed to have a fully rounded personality).

Yet unlike most people here, my opinion is just to let the person be. Let them try out their new persona and see what they do and do not like about it. As long as it doesn't become unhealthy then really it will just be a phase.

Yeah fixation and fantasy are "unhealthy" but only in extremes. They are otherwise very healthy tools that allow us to cope with what is going on.

I mean I'd certainly would love to find a friend I can be very close to and I don't need to watch my little pony to know that.

But as always topic creator you are the arbiter over what advice you wish to take.

[LordBucket]

He is looking for someone who would agree to be his sister. Not on a familial basis, or anything, but just
so they could both treat each other like brother and sister; like a very deep friendship with a specific name, basically.

,,,wait. I'm not sure I understand. He wants to be friendzoned? What's the problem? Millions of guys are complaining daily about having to accept the very thing he wants.

My friend is simply looking for evidence that people with a personality at
least similar to Rainbow Dash do in fact exist in real life

At least similar? Sure, I've known brash women with inflated egos. He wants to find a brash woman with an inflated ego to not have sex with? This should be very easy to find. What's the problem?

provide whatever advice, stories or help you can on this subject.

Reframe the situation. He wants a close friendship, just with a person with a certain sort of personality. Lots of girls want guy friends. All he needs to do is find a girl with the right personality.

If you can either provide an example or just share your thoughts
on the idea of treating an unrelated person/friend like a brother or sister

There are entire religions based on off this premise. The Japanese have a word for it: nakama.

"All men are brothers."
 -- Gandhi

"Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity."
 -- Timothy 5, the Bible

Personally, I'm closer to friends than I am to my family. Treating friends with as much closeness and faith as family seems completely reasonable to me.

"Friends are family that you choose."
 -- The internet


I think this whole situation is much easier, way less angsty or unhealthy than others in the thread are suggesting. He's a guy who wants Rainbow Dash? No problem. How many girls do you think there are out there who wish they were Rainbow Dash? I'm guessing lots. Plenty of woman complain about how society expects them to conform to social rules and how they wish they could freely be who they truly are. Songs have been written about this. That's Dash all over. "To hell with what society wants. I'm awesome, I'm going to be me."

Tell him to find a girl who wants to be Rainbow Dash. It shouldn't be that difficult. Worst case, he can find a girl who's into roleplay.

advice

Rainbow Dash probably isn't sitting at home surfing the internet. She's out in the world living an awesome life. Maybe she's skiing. Maybe she's scuba diving. Maybe she's mountain climbing or surfing. Maybe she's flying airplanes or skydiving.

He wants Rainbow Dash? She's out there. There are probably thousands of her out there. He just needs to look for her in places where she can be found.

[Max White]

I have no solid advice to offer but please, keep us all updated on any progress. I'm curious as to where this will go...

[Vector]

You're welcome.

Also, I've been brothers with someone before.  We were both unrelated by blood, and also women.  Trust me, that stuff isn't too weird.

[Skyrunner]

Dropping by to say Lord Bucket has a good point in his closing comment. Declining judging the rest of his post x3

[Xvareon]

Shame on me. I guess I forgot about this thread. LordBucket kindly sent me a PM, though, reminding me that I probably should give you guys an update.

The situation hasn't been resolved completely, but I didn't really expect a miracle in the first place. He couldn't really counter my argument about it in the first place, and after I told him about what you guys said, he has accepted the fact that there are people in this world who are OK with—and even encourage—such a practice as treating non-relatives like siblings. Now that the fundamental part is taken care of, though, he's moved on to other related concerns: how to make something like this work in the first place, how to broach the question without sounding weird, etc.

The real problem is that he's not used to anything like this at all. He's so used to dealing with ignorance, mistrust and apathy from others that he pretty much needs to build an entirely new mindset from scratch. As such, he has a lot of trouble accepting anything 'good', because he associates it with something 'bad' -- when people are saying 'good' things, they're usually lying in order to get something from him, for example. He'd rather not deal with people and the world at all, really, but he does realize that he has no other choice. I've been teaching him about the good parts of the world and how he can get them for months, now, and encouraging him to pursue positive, realistic goals in life, but it's been slow going so far. Especially since he's still dealing with the wrong kind of people, including several employers who have tried to get free work off him, even though he's moved to a larger city (Lipetsk, Russia). But I continue to help him, and we are making some progress, so I'm glad for that, at least.

Thank you guys for taking the time to comment. I might make another post or something sometime if another issue comes up that requires 'proof', but things seem to be good, for now.

[martinuzz]

Found her!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)