I was friends with my junior Sifu before he was a sifu. We still get along well, though we have toned down most of the rowdier aspects, so I guess we are still friends. I enjoy an easy repoure with all the other sifus I know, but I would not call this friendship. I don't have a problem with it personnally, but there is a time and place when both need to be able to step back to a professional relationship. Some people can do this, some can't.

I guess it should also be said that I don't measure friendship by how much two people agree with each other, share same intrests, or even know much personnal stuff about each other. For me it is an understanding; a meld of comfort with each other and a deep respect that has nothing to do with any one subject. Sometimes this type of understanding comes almost instantly with someone. Most of the time it develops over time, and usually sneeks up on me.