Best friends can be a viable reference group Consider this: Two young men have been friends since they met in college in 2002. Both work at the same company and they live five miles from each other in a small town. Their wives are friends, too, and the four frequently get together for dinner, movies, or game nights. A recent survey performed by Market Facts for American Demographics showed that the typical American has known his or her best friend for fourteen years, and 55 percent stil talk with his or her best friend weekly. Best friends are usually close in age and in similar life-cycle for example, both may be married around the same time and have kids of similar age.