5 Professionals Every Man Needs as a Friend (Unless You’re One Already)
In today’s world it’s almost impossible to function as a successful adult without the inevitable consultation of expert advice. Whether it is health-related, money-related, or simply just too complicated, we all run into a dilemma where we must rely on experts. This is nice – after all that’s what society is for – but more times than not that advice comes with a fee in the form of a professional consultation.
But what if you were friends with these folks? Here are five professionals that, if you ever find yourself befriending, can most definitely help you get through most of life’s burps.
1. Attorney
This is easier than it sounds, because America has more lawyers than it knows what to do with and so the days of legal scholars being inaccessible members of the aristocracy are long gone. Personally I’d peruse the bars closest to your city’s courthouse at around 5 p.m. Knowledge of the law is an incredible asset to have, so if you succeed in ever becoming friends with an attorney, don’t ever pay for legal service until he (or she) has heard your case first and can recommend the right steps to make.
2. Accountant
Someone with even just a two years associate’s degree in accounting can be an invaluable member of your inner circle. Managing money right is a talent most men don’t pick up until after they’ve bailed themselves out of credit card debt. Avoiding that plastic pitfall among many other financial mishaps an accountant can discern is certainly worth having to hear him talk about the 99% of financial knowledge that’s boring as hell and relates to you in no way whatsoever.
3. Automobile Mechanic
This is our third profession that starts with the letter A and another no-brainer – the auto mechanic. This one doesn’t even need explaining, but in case you somehow don’t know why having a mechanic as a friend is important and think watching Top Gear has given you all the knowledge you need, buy a Haynes manual for your car. Did you? It’s a little more complicated than you thought isn’t it?
4. Pharmacist
Why not doctor? Well as I mentioned earlier regarding the bygone era of the attorney, doctors are still kind of hard to come by as personal friends go. Besides, do you really want to be describing the way that boils looks to a friend? A pharmacist or even a pharmacy technician training to be a pharmacist will have a plethora of expertise regarding medicine and the way medicines and other health treatments interact with one another. Trust me, as you get older this buddy’s going to help you out a lot.
5. Artist/Craftsman
This is a more general “profession” but anybody with a knack for creativity, whether it is a copywriter or a carpenter, can almost always offer invaluable assistance when it comes to anything from assembling a competitive resume to redecorating your pad to make it more lady-friendly. Most of us don’t have the time to think about these kinds of things, but they’re incredibly important, and any choice you make regarding aesthetics in your personal life should first run through the gauntlet of a professional artist’s opinion.
While I’m not advocating the shallow pursuit of friendship for the sake of free advice, it’s always worth knowing how to get the most out of those around you. Just know it goes both ways, so you better be an expert at something too, besides mooching off your friends.
Short URL: http://man-over-board.com/?p=14040
Posted by 
I’ve just about have all of these covered. This is so very true too.
Have a terrific day. Big hug.
Eric, I have some of this covered. My son is a partner in a large Sacramento law firm. My husband is good at programming (a genius actually) but otherwise a regular dumb guy, my best friend is an artist and an architect, and my husband is having a “bro-mance” with Jaques, an race car driving auto mechanic! Pharmacists are always great t o have in pocket, I agree and I have a couple, including an in-law. Since you are local (I’m in Alameda) you may be able to hook me up with an accountant. Make him or her cute though.
I think you missedout Marriage Guidance Councillor!
#1 Screwed my ex-wife
#2 In jail for money laundering
#3 Sleeping under a shade tree
#4 In jail for illegal pill dispensing
#5 Glenn of MOB
Hey, who you calling a mooch? Seriously, great advise.
PLU!
Are those the Village People? See, now I’m suddenly all nostalgic and missing the 70s…
Anyway, I am proud to announce that not only have I befriended one of the above named men in the professions, I married one. Mechanic. Not sure what he’s getting in return though. Does nagging contribute to society in any way?
I have had similar discussions but I took a different approach. Since I rarely have need of a lawyer or accountant the most essential specialist to befriend is the auto mechanic.
I think you need to offer one more:
6. Computer Geek
I can’t tell you how many friends I have made house calls to because of some computer tragedy. Sometimes I can help, sometimes I can’t, but I feel like I’m on call for half the world sometimes.
I’m surprised you didn’t say a builder. I suppose you can do some of the diy stuff yourself, but no one is really good at all the home projects around the house himself, right?
Any choice you make regarding aesthetics in your personal life should first run
Hahahha, good idea, choosing friends by profession.
A Dentist is another one ..
Yes indeed, without a computer specialist today is simply not possible, i programmer and to me very often turn familiar with the request that fix or advise. So you need to add the item necessarily
IT/computer repair guy is moving up past the accountant.
Hey what about a cop….they can sign off on fix it tickets for you.
Jana
You make a good point, although the last point is a it broad and could be seen as cheating’ your way out of a top 5 list. What about a bartender? They can slip you free drinks and teach you a few things.
Speaking of, check out these great cocktail mix tutorial videos on Clip Riot: http://www.clipriot.com/how-to-make-the-perfect-cosmopolitan-martini/
Great list. Of all of those, I think a friend with an accounting degree is most welcome in my life right now.
The most useful friend I have is a web-designer. Very similar to the more general “computer geek” suggested in the other comment, once there is a web-designer in your circles, everyone needs his services.
Hmm I don’t know any of those. I do know a professional entertainer so at least I have somebody who can sing for a living if I ever need it. Only problem is, he doesnt like singing to small crowds, so I’d have to get a large crowd together first.