Temporary friend

[tony h]

Is there a word, or phrase, that describes the temporary friend (not amorous) that you make, by virtue of a delightful conversation, but cannot last more than a short time because you will continue on your journey and not see each other again. The last time I had this occurrence was in the recovery room after an operation. Our discussion centred on William Harvey. He was the discoverer of the blood circulatory system and continued through the mathematics of Isaac Newton to the design of turbine fans.

[trolley]

I can't think of an appropriate term for such a person. I know exactly what you mean, and I've have been fortunate enough to meet a few of those people in my life, but I'm not sure they were "friends"...except the ones that still are.

[BonnieL]

Delightful memory, perhaps? I have a few of those. Can't remember the names - if I ever knew them - but the encounters were memorable.

[tony h]

Thank you.
At the moment I am thinking of using "fleeting friendship". However it seems to suggest that the friendship was fleeting whereas the the friendship has not decayed , it is time that has run out. Maybe a "glimpse of friendship".

[Wizard of Oz]

Does aquaintance fit the bill? I often speak of having, acquaintances, friends and mates. The acquaintance is just that, a person who you have met briefly and had social intercourse with at say, a party or a workshop, but who you fully expect to never meet again.

[Phil White]

Surely "acquaintance" references the depth of the relationship rather than the frequency. If I am a member of, for instance, a church, a political party or a walking club, there are many people that I meet frequently and possibly interact with quite often, but with whom I have no significant relationship.

I think Tony is getting at the idea of a person with whom you immediately hit it off and whose company you thoroughly enjoy, but whom you are only likely to meet once or for a limited period of time.

But I suppose "acquaintance" is as good as any single word we might have. Otherwise, it might be possible to use something like "fellow patient".