That actually seems like a very small point of the EP. Everything I've read from the Sims site about friends only said having the right friends can help get you into more exclusive bars and clubs. I think the heart of the EP is more about lush and lavish lifestyles than friends.
Ah yes! I should try to read some things better. Because I was on the same hand with LlamaMama, but like you've said: it is indeed not about how many friend you have ingame, it is about having the right friends.
Like an old Dutch saying: it is not about who you are, but it's about who you know.
@Esther1981 That would just indeed too much insane!