Secrets, whether they're juicy, shocking or just plain funny, nothing compares to the thrill of opening up or listening to a friend's confession (n.坦白). When a pal bares his heart to you, you can't help but feel trusted and special. In fact, you're a lot more likely now to tell him something you wouldn't tell just anyone. When you're first getting to know a new friend, start with small secrets.
No secret is ever 100 water-proof, but you can take steps to prevent getting your feelings hurt. First, when something you're telling a friend is a secret, always say so. Every time when you share something confidential (adj.保密的), tell her that this is "for your ears only." Also, don't assume (v.假定,认为) someone will keep your secrets just because you know some of hers. Some people just have a tendency to blurt things out, which is why it pays to get a feel for how good a secret-keeper your friend is. Finally, make sure you get a reputation as someone who takes secrets seriously.
It's not worth breaking a promise to a friend, but if a secret is too big for you to carry alone, you have a responsibility to tell someone. There are probably a few details about your life that you don't feel like sharing, even with your closest friends. If the secret isn't hurting you or your friendship, silence is golden. If you're hiding something big and constantly worrying about your secret being leaked, it may be time to just spill (v.溢出) your beans. Taking control of a secret that's eating you up inside isn't easy.
So it seems clear that knowing when to let the secret out and when to zip your lips will help you a lot.
