A study examined what type of communication behaviors best friends use when they talk about their relationship (meta-relate), or discuss the nature of talk within the friendship (meta-talk). Questionnaire data collected from middle-aged adults and young college students indicated that the respondents discussed their friendships more than their conversations. Respondents indicated that their most frequently used meta-relate behaviors were discussing personal feelings, sharing intimate facts, telling each other why the friendship was special, identifying unique behaviors in the friendship, and telling each other how much they care for one another. Frequently used meta-talk behaviors included telling friends that a decision must be made regarding a solution to a problem, directing the conversation back to a topic, commenting on a friend's emotional behavior, and explaining conversations by referring to the other's wishes, feelings, or intentions. (Three tables are included; 39 references are attached.) (Author/PRA)