What is "friendship" anyway?

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The whole concept of "friendship" baffles me.

All I know is there are people that I like/don't like in various degrees - I feel compelled to do nice things for the people I like and I ignore the people I don't - how is that different than "friendship"?

Friendship is a mutual thing. Both parties enjoy each other, and care enough to keep in contact, know details about one another, do things with and for one another, and are able to click and have comfortable interpersonal exchange.
Best friendship is like above, but more emotionally intimate and both individuals honestly love one another.
That's how I view it, anyways.

I don't know. When I actually get "friends" who stick around - i'll let you know.

It isn't. I think that the definition of 'friendship' is viewed differently by every individual. Friendship is in my opinion loyalty, mutual respect, affection and trust. Friends must be able to enjoy the presence of each other, must be able have fun with each other and must be able to talk to each other about a subject of choice. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's how I see 'friendship'.

A ship with friends on it.

There goes my literal mind, hard at work.

Friendship is when you care what happens to someone because they are important to you for a reason AND that feeling is mutually reciprocated.

Haha, epic.....and not the poem.

Do the people do things for you in return and do you feel you can count on them if you need help. Like moving furniture. Friendship seems to be a mutual understanding that people enjoy each other's company and in turn, are more willing and able exchange favors and or skills which benefit both.

You can care a lot but if there is no exchange or favors you don't have much of a friendship.

Women friendships are generally a lifetime investment if you need women friends. Some men can remain friends for years and barely have contact. I have one friend who I suspect is aspie now. We are very happy to see each other, we talk a bit and catch up and that is all, until the next time we bump into each other.

correct.
a friend is someone that takes you for who you are, and accepts your quircks without question, being there to help you should you need it, but gives you time alone if you want to.

there is also the very true saying: 'a friend in need is a friend indeed'.
so, if anyone still sticks around when you are having a hard time, then you have found a true friend.

A friend is someone who does something for me without them expecting something in return.