How to Make Friends Easily

The more the merrier!

Some people seem naturally able to walk into a room full of strangers and depart at the end of the night with a room full of friends. But others struggle to connect with people and want to know the secret of making and keeping friends. Here are some simple ways to make a connection that lasts.

Instructions

1. Introduce yourself. When you encounter someone who seems like the sort of person you could relate to, don't hesitate to be the first one to make contact. Ask lots of questions, and listen to the answers. The best way to get people interested in knowing you is to let them see that you are interested in knowing them. As you discover things you have in common, focus on them. Do you watch the same TV shows? Get your hair done at the same salon? Hate the same baseball team? Find out where your worlds collide, and use those things to begin building the foundations of a new friendship.If you are shy, use written communication to connect. If you are not the sort of person who can approach a total stranger and strike up a conversation, make your initial contact via email or text message.

2. 

   Be thoughtful. If you go out for lunch, pick up some chips or a soda for your new friend so they know you thought about them. Find out when her birthday is, and put it in your calendar. Be the sort of friend that you hope others will be to you.You do not have to buy your friends, but random acts of kindness bring people joy and make them desire to be near you.

3. Don't try too hard. One mistake people make when they first make a new friend is trying to push too hard, too fast. It takes awhile for a genuine bond to form, so take your new friendships one step at a time. Forcing yourself on someone makes you seem desperate.

4. Be trustworthy. The quickest way to lose a friend is for them to discover that you have betrayed a confidence or broken your word to them. If you want to make and keep friends, keep your promises, and learn to keep secrets that people entrust you with.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask a current friend to introduce you to other people they know that you may not.

• Join social groups that share your interests such as book clubs, cooking classes, political clubs and church activities. Here you can find people with whom you already have things in common.

• Don't sit on the sidelines and wait for people to come to you Be bold and reach out first.