How to Make Friends

Find opportunities to talk to people . You can join a club, go to school, go to a temple or church, but you still can’t make new friends without actually talking to people. Likewise, you don’t have to join an organization, but you can still interact with people. Every time you talk to someone is an opportunity for you to find a lasting friendship. There’s no need to say anything special – just start a conversation with something friendly (like “isn’t it nice today?” or “What a nice shirt!) and see where it takes you! ^[6]

• You can talk to anyone: the employee at the store you shop at, the person sitting next to you on public transit, or the person standing in front of you in line. Don’t be too picky.
• Having a good attitude is always an advantage. You can start a conversation with people with a simple greeting like “Hi, how are you?” while passing them. When you say hello to people, you’ll appear more friendly, and people will usually be more than happy to respond. This is a great way to start communicating with people.

Make eye contact and smile . If you don’t appear friendly and approachable, people will find it difficult to get to know you. Look the person in the eye while they’re talking to you (or when you’re talking to them) and give them a warm, friendly smile. ^[7]

• Don’t roll your eyes, look bored, frown, or be apathetic. Try to avoid closed body language, such as crossing your arms or sitting alone in a corner.

Try using a variety of communication methods. When you meet someone you have feelings for and want to make friends with, take the initiative to start a conversation. This will help you connect with that person and start a friendship. ^[9] There are a number of different approaches you can try, such as:

• Comment on what’s going on around. The weather is a classic: “At least it doesn’t rain like it did last week!”
• Ask them for help: “Can you carry the boxes for me, if you’re not in a hurry?” or “Which of these do you think I should choose as a gift for mom?” Or, you can offer to help them, such as, “Do you need a hand in cleaning up?”
• Say compliments like, “That’s a nice car” or “I like your shoes.” However, you should avoid compliments that are too personal, as they can be uncomfortable.
• Follow up the compliment with a related question. For example, “Where did you buy these shoes? I also want to buy a pair like that.”

Keep the conversation going with trivia. If the other person seems interested in continuing, keep the conversation going by asking questions and introducing yourself a little. You don’t have to talk about topics that are deep or too personal. It’s important to show that you are both a listener and able to contribute to the story. ^[10]

• People often like to talk about themselves and want to show how beautiful or talented they are. By listening more than you speak, you win people’s hearts.
• Show that you’re listening by nodding, maintaining eye contact, and responding to what the other person has to say with questions or comments.
• For example, if the other person talks about their profession, you might say something like, “Wow! How did you get into this profession?”

Introduce yourself when the conversation is almost over. You can simply say something like, “Ah, by the way, my name is…” When you introduce yourself, the other person will usually do the same. ^[11]

• Another way is to introduce yourself at the beginning of the conversation. For example, you might approach a new colleague with the greeting, “Hi, my name is Xuan. Actually, we haven’t met yet, but my office is near your office!”
• Remember the person’s name. If you show them you remember what the two of you talked about in the last meeting, the other person will know that you pay attention and really care about them.

Invite them out for coffee or lunch. This will be a good opportunity for the two sides to talk and get to know each other more. Ask them out for a drink from time to time and give them your email address or phone number so they can contact you. The other person may or may not give you their information, but it doesn’t matter.

• Try saying “I have to go, but if you ever want to join me for lunch or have a drink, let me give you my phone number/email address.”
• Your chances of seeing that person again are higher if you suggest a specific time and place. For example, you could say, “It was so much fun talking to you today! Shall we go to X’s this Saturday for coffee and muffins?”
• If it’s not convenient to meet the person in person, consider inviting them to an event with a group, such as a party or a movie.

Pursue common interests. If you discover that the other person has the same interests as you, ask more about it, and if appropriate, ask if they are involved in any groups or clubs. If so, this would be a great opportunity to ask about joining. If you show genuine interest (ask about when, where, and who can join), chances are you’ll be invited.

• If you’re a member of a club, band, or other active group that you think they’re interested in, take this opportunity to give them your phone number or email address and invite them to join.

Loyal to friends. You’ve probably heard of friends who “clap your hands when you’re happy”. They are the people who are happy to be with you when things are going well, but disappear when you really need them. Be loyal to your friends, and you will attract people who value that quality. Prove that you’re not just talking to attract the friends you want in your life. ^[12]

• One quality of a true friend is a willingness to sacrifice time and effort to help a friend in difficult times. Be nice to your friends.
• Be there for your friends when they need help, or when they need someone to comfort them when they’re sad.

Contribute to fostering friendships. A strong friendship requires a lot of work on both sides. If your friend is always checking in on you, arranging get-togethers, remembering your birthday, and asking you out for lunch, you should do the same whenever possible. ^[13]

• Once in a while, examine yourself to see if you’re the friend you want to have.
• On the other hand, you should also ask yourself if the other friend is doing their part correctly. If not, you need to have a sincere conversation with them (but don’t accuse or blame them all if the friendship doesn’t turn out the way you want it to).

Keep promise. When you make a promise to do something, you must keep it. Be someone people can trust. If you demonstrate this quality in your dealings with people, you will attract people who value your credibility and will return the same to you. ^[14]

• When you two have made an appointment to meet somewhere, don’t be late, and don’t miss your appointment.
• If an unexpected event prevents you from arriving on time or arriving, call as soon as you know it. Apologize to them and reschedule the meeting.
• Don’t make friends wait without warning; Obviously this is not a good way to start a friendship.

Know how to listen . Many people think that a “great friend” has to be someone who is really interesting. Beyond that, however, is the ability to show people that you care about others. Listen to what people have to say, remember important details about them (their names, their likes and dislikes), ask questions about what interests them, and spend time learning more about them. Surname. ^[15]

• Don’t act like you’re always the one with more interesting stories than others, or suddenly change the subject instead of following the flow of the conversation.
• When you talk, focus on what the other person is saying instead of worrying about what to say. Avoid interrupting and do not give advice unless asked.

Be trustworthy. One of the best things about having best friends is that we always have someone to talk to about everything, even the most intimate. However, if you want people to feel free to open up to you, you need to build trust.. ^[16]

• The key to being a soul mate is the ability to keep secrets. Never tell anyone else about what you have been told by your trusted friend.
• Don’t talk about your friends behind their backs or let them down when they trust you. You can also build trust by being honest and trustworthy.

Show your good qualities. Show off your unique and good qualities. Show everyone what makes you stand out from the crowd. Talk about your interests and hobbies. Tell your new friends a little bit about your life. Everyone has interesting stories to tell – don’t hesitate to share yours. If you are unique, show it to everyone. ^[17]

• A little humor always keeps the conversation light and fun. Everyone wants to be around people who make them laugh.
• Friendship is happiest when we are comfortable being ourselves. Cherish your best qualities and let them shine when you’re around your friends, but don’t try to be someone you’re not in order to please them or impress them.

Stay in touch with friends. People often lose touch with friends because they are too busy or don’t value friends properly. When you lose touch with someone, your friendship fades, and when you try to reconnect it can be difficult to rekindle. ^[18]

• Even if you don’t have time to chat or see each other, let your friend know that you still miss them by texting or stopping by to say hello.
• Maintaining friendships is not easy. You need to spend time with friends and share stories in your life. Respect their decisions and let them know yours too. Try to stay connected with your friends.