I have 21 friends on my list but generally speaking I let other people add me rather than sending requests. It doesn't bother me how many friends I have on my list, I'm close with some people on this forum that I don't have added so.
I have more than 20, I think. I met most of them through the collectible trades/discussions, etc. For a short time I ran the Guide in the marketplace so I met a lot of people through that too.
for talking to enough, I'm honestly not sure I'd count anyone here as such. especially in comparison to some people elsewhere I talk to. friendly acquaintance seems to be the max level I'd say right now