What personality traits do you consider important in a good friend?

What characteristics do I look for in a close friend? That's something I have not considered before, but I suppose I must think certain qualities are more important than others. Let me see… If I think about my best friend, the traits I can identify which I particularly appreciate are consideration and kindness. If I need something, for example, my friend is always there. When I call, or when I ask a question or just send a message, I know I will get an answer very quickly. I'm afraid that some people are not so considerate and don't have time to be polite to others. For me, this is a pretty fundamental requirement in anybody, not just a friend but colleagues or anyone you interact with. If you can't be polite to someone then I don't think you have any interest in them, which is quite sad, now that I think about it. Anyway, my good friends all have this consideration, and I am lucky to know them and have them as friends. People who cannot behave in this way probably don't have such good friends as mine.