The  research  aimed at  investigating foci of activity which were perceived by adolescents as relevant  for establishing and maintaining friendships.  The participantswere 24 adolescents aged 14-17 years old from Vitoria, Brazil, all high school students.Twelve students were from a public school and 12 from a private school, including 12 females and 12 males. The results are presented in seven items: (1) friends network; (2) origin of friends; (3) friendship, physical space and neighborhood; (4) general activities;(5) specific activities; (6) communication and (7) friendship and dating.  It can be concluded that the foci of activity, as part of the social context in which friendships begin and develop, show similarities and differences between the two groups (students from public school and private school) that represent different segments or groups of the local society. The foci of activities also  highlight  the relevance of social, economic, geographic, religious and cultural factor to friendship in adolescence.