How to make friends

Introduction

There's a certain beauty in being a lone wolf (people with no friends). You have more time to do things you want to do, like talk to yourself, play solitaire, write poetry, or try to carry that couch into your new apartment all by yourself. If that's not your bag, though, there are literally billions of potential friends in the world. What's more, many of these people want to make friends just as much as you do. So just follow these steps to meet new people and form strong, lasting friendships with at least some of them.

Things You'll Need

• Just an open mind

Steps

1 Step One

Get out and meet people! If you want to make friends, you first need to meet people. No matter where you live, this should be fairly easy. Just in case you're stumped, here are just a few suggestions.
A way to make a friend is to not be shy; go up to that person ask questions, like "what is your name?" Act friendly and be honest and trustworthy.

2 Step Two

Join a club with people of common interests. You don't necessarily have to have a lot of common interests with people in order to make friends with them--in fact, some of the most rewarding friendships are between two people who don't have much in common at all--but if you have something in common with people, it can make it a lot easier to talk to them and plan activities initially. Whatever your age and whatever your interests, there is a club or organization for you.

3 Step Three

Volunteering is a great way for people of all ages to meet others. By working together you build bonds with people, and the fact that you're devoting your time to something free of charge shows that you're compassionate and unselfish, two traits of good friends.

4 Step Four

Be fun to be around. You don't have to be a superstar to be fun. You don't even have to do cartwheels. You do need to be positive and friendly, however, so that people feel good when they're around you. From the very first conversation you have with someone, you should use body language to convey that you are affable, non-threatening, and approachable. Smile frequently, laugh often, and make eye contact. In your words, be confident, but don't be cocky, condescending, or mean-spirited.

5 Step Five

Be a good listener. Many people think that in order to be seen as "friend material" they have to appear very interesting. Far more important than this, however, is the ability to show that you're interested in others. Listen carefully to what people say, remember important details about them (their names, their likes and dislikes), ask questions about their interests, and just take the time to learn more about them. People love to talk about themselves, and the easiest way to be likable is to listen. You don't want to be the guy or girl that always has a better story than anyone else or that changes the subject abruptly instead of continuing the flow of conversation. These people appear too wrapped up in themselves to be good friends.

6 Step Six

Be trustworthy. One of the best things about having a friend is that you have someone to whom you can talk about anything, even secrets that you hide from the rest of the world. The key to being a good confidante is the ability to keep secrets, so it's no secret that you shouldn't tell other people things that were told to you in confidence. Before people even feel comfortable opening up to you, however, you need to build trust. Be honest about yourself and your beliefs, and don't gossip about others or spread rumors.

7 Step Seven

Be true to yourself. A good friend sometimes does things he or she doesn't want to do, such as helping a friend move or going to see a band that you don't really like, but you should never feel pressured to do something you think is wrong. Stay true to your convictions and beliefs, and if this causes you to lose some friends, you're better off without them. You'll also find that your integrity may help you win a lot of other friends, and if you just be yourself you'll make friends who like you for who you are.

8 Step Eight

If you're around a new place, try to find people who are not attached to a group and strike up a conversation about anything—the weather, the environment that you're in, clothes, whatever. In school, for example, befriending new students can help you make new friends.

Accept everyone for who they are and never bring anyone down or try to change someone (especially if they've done nothing to hurt or offend you). This communicates insecurity. If you don't get along with someone, try avoidance instead of creating a rivalry.


Always be nice to everybody


Remember when making new friends always be yourself.