How to Find and Keep a Great Pen Pal
Creating a long lasting friendship with a pen pal is easy, though it requires time and maintenance. In order for the relationship to grow, you have to put forth an effort to write and email frequently. Small gifts, reflective of your country and culture, are a great way to break the ice and show your new friend how much he means to you. For the price of a couple of postage stamps, you can get to know people from all around the world without leaving your own living room or home office.
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Things You'll Need
- Stationery or notecards with matching envelopes
- Blue or black ink pen
- Stickers
- Rubber stamps in various designs
- Black ink pad
- Postage stamps
- City or country map
- Photographs
- Flat bookmarks
- Set of recipe cards
- Comic strips
- Newspaper and magazine articles
- Coupons
- Postcards
- Foreign currency
- Cancelled stamps
Instructions
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1
Find a pen pal website and post your profile. State exactly what you are looking for in a friend. Provide a way for people to contact you. You can set up a free email account for this purpose.
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Reply to the people that interest you the most. Offer to exchange addresses. Decide who will write the first letter. If it is you, gather up all the supplies necessary to write a compelling pen pal letter.
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Set the tone by introducing yourself to the person that you are writing to. Mention details about the city or country that you live in, the kinds of hobbies or activities that you like and what you are hoping to gain from the pen pal experience.
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4
Address the envelope. Don't forget to include your return address on it. Decorate the front of the envelope with stickers or rubber stamps. Attach the appropriate amount of postage for the country that you are sending the letter to. If you are unsure of weight restrictions or proper postage, visit the United States Postal Service's website or an office for more information.
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Insert flat items one at a time into the envelope. Bookmarks, newspaper articles, recipe cards and other small gifts are desirable. Seal the envelope and put it into the mail.
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Take the time to write back to your friend once she replies. Keep letters upbeat and cordial. Make your pen pal aware of your new home and email address in the event that the information changes.
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Tips & Warnings
Be creative in your writing adventures. Send an audio or video recording of yourself to your new friend.
Small gifts reflective of your country or culture are ideal for foreign pen pals. The same can be said about sending items that reflect your pen pal's interests.
Not living up to promises is the quickest way to kill a friendship.
Different cultures find certain behavior unacceptable. Learn more about you pen pal's country before doing something that may be considered taboo or risky.
