Optimal number of friends

[The DaveR]

Everyone has some finite amount of time during the day and limits to which they can tolerate other people (i.e. a general amount of time they need alone). I think I can handle about 3-4 good friends at any time, by which I mean the number of people I'm in weekly contact either by phone or in person. This is the high number. When I was 25 the number was about double. I suspect in another 10 years the number will contract slightly.

A couple clarifications. I generally do not consider people at work friends and I make a conscious effort to keep work time distinct from social time. There are a wider set of friends--7 or 8--where I can pick up with them after months of hiatus what seems like zero friendship degradation.

I feel like I have serious hermit-like tendencies, so I'm curious what other people have as their number of near-daily friends.