In English and in France we use a bunch of different words that kind of quantify levels of friendship. This means that the word friendship is already subjective within a particular language.
Here a some of the words:
My friend, my palm, my buddy, my chum, my bff, my mate
Also there is a difference between a female friendship and male friendship usually. Men friends with other men barely talk about their problem, they're usually hanging out to escape their problems. I can't speak for women categorically but I feel they're more likely to discuss their issues with their female friends than men.
There are far more factors in play too, such as culture, friends in the Australia for example may call each other cunts but in the USA that would probably not be a friendly thing to do even with your pals.
My overarching point being that friendship means many things to many different people, regardless of even leaving a country, language or culture. So given the context of the world, it clearly has varying meanings.
Several more are in one scene of one Simpsons episode [1]. Homer is trying to determine who his soul mate is, and goes into Moe's thinking it might be Barney.
Barney said that he was more of a chum.
Homer turned to Lenny, who said he was a crony.
Carl said he was an acquaintance.
Other people at the bar said colleague, sympathizer, compadre, associate, and contemporary.
Finally, Homer turns to Moe, who unleashes the perfect term for many modern friendships: "I'm a well-wisher in that I don't wish you any specific harm".
[1] Season 8, Episode 9, "The Mysterious Voyage of Homer" (3F24).
I just assumed he discussed nationalities with regards to regional colloquialisms. Much like you're assumed he was discussing regional social attitudes.
Here a some of the words:
My friend, my palm, my buddy, my chum, my bff, my mate
Mon ami, mon pot, mon copain, mon camarade, mon familier
Here are some references to show how they relate to each other: http://www.wordreference.com/enfr/reverse/friend http://www.wordreference.com/fren/reverse/pote
Also there is a difference between a female friendship and male friendship usually. Men friends with other men barely talk about their problem, they're usually hanging out to escape their problems. I can't speak for women categorically but I feel they're more likely to discuss their issues with their female friends than men.
There are far more factors in play too, such as culture, friends in the Australia for example may call each other cunts but in the USA that would probably not be a friendly thing to do even with your pals.
My overarching point being that friendship means many things to many different people, regardless of even leaving a country, language or culture. So given the context of the world, it clearly has varying meanings.