What Does "Befriending" Someone On This Forum Do

[Traverse]

I've noticed this option before and went through the forum FAQ/Rules and didn't see a mention. Does it add any functionality?

Also (an this is more of a question of internet ethics as this is the first forum I've ever joined), when would you use it? There are some members that I've noticed frequent the types of threads I read and I usually agree with them, but I don't send a "friend" request because I'd think that would come off as creepy?

 

[S.B.G]

If someone has their profile information, like contact information, personal photo albums and such set to be hidden from the public, except for friends, and you are friended with that person, you will see it. Plus, in the Forum Spy, their posts that scroll by will be highlighted in yellow.

If someone is on your Contact List only, you get the yellow highlight in Forum Spy and that person does not know you're following them in that fashion.