How to Maintain a Friendship with a Pen Pal

Pen pals are a great way to learn about foreign cultures and meet people from all over the world. You can maintain a friendship with a pen pal by staying in touch through the mail, by calling on the phone or by staying connected on the Internet. The more you put into the friendship, the more you will get out of the experience. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Envelopes, boxes and stamps.
• Pictures, post cards and other small things to send.

1. Write your pen pal frequently. Reply to your pen pals letters promptly to keep the friendship going.

2. Send little extras to your pen pals along with your letters. Pictures, post cards, currency and collector's items are good things to exchange.

3. Send an occasional package with gifts that are specific to your area. Include things with your city's name, a cassette recording of a message to your pen pal and other little things someone far away might appreciate.

4. Share your passions and interests, but be careful not to use your pen pal letters to vent about stressful situations in your life. Keep your focus on the positive.

Tips & Warnings

• Take the initiative and send a card to let your pen pal know you are thinking of them if they don't write back quickly.
• Make plans to meet one another and get a personal tour of another country.
• Avoid touchy subjects with your pen pals.
• Limit political conversations.
• Never go alone to meet someone outside of your country.