Meeting new people can be a challenge for certain individuals. It can also pose a problem for people who have moved to a new city and don’t know anyone. But the truth is that meeting people is relatively simple and fun. Below, we are going to share the top 10 ways to meet new people and make more friends.
10. Join a Gym
This is a great opportunity to get to know people, especially if you choose to join a class. As the work out intensifies, everyone in the room is releasing endorphins and by the very end, almost everyone will be craving some water or juice and perhaps a healthy snack. Why not take advantage of that time to strike up a conversation?
9. Get a Social Hobby
Dancing, Scrapbooking, Golfing, Tennis, etc. – All of these are fantastic hobbies that often support social interaction. You could join a group doing these activities or take a class, either way you will be around people doing something similar, so you will have an instant conversation-starter.
8. Learn a New Skill
Poke around your local community school or YMCA and see if any classes are available to learn a new skill. It could be something useful for your job like a computer class or something completely unrelated like basket weaving. Either way, make sure it is something with a possible social outlet.
7. Volunteer
There is no doubt a need somewhere in your town that you would fill wonderfully. Find out what it is and go for it! If you are passionate about it, you’ll encounter others with similar interests and you will have the opportunity to build some pretty solid relationships.
6. Hang Out After Work
One of the easiest ways to make friends is to start with the people immediately around you. Ask a co-worker or two to go to dinner after work. Perhaps suggest it as a reward on a pay-day or to celebrate a big deal. That excuse won’t sound as awkward as “Um, I’ve got no friends here… you want to hang out?”
5. Get Involved in a Church
As humans, we are tightly bound by similar world views. This type of bond is often most evident in the religious/spiritual sphere. Find people who see things your way and hang out. Contrarily, as humans, we also thrive in diversity, so finding a group of people who are different but respectful can be very rewarding as well. These people will challenge us to understand more fully what we believe and explore more deeply why we believe it. These types of friendships can be absolutely priceless!
4. Learn to Make Small Talk
Wherever you are, strike up a conversation. It might feel awkward at first, but you will soon notice that the people you chat with will often leave with a smile on their faces if you approach them with a good attitude. Who knows? You might make someone’s day with just a word or two of kindness!
3. Starbucks
Coffee shop atmospheres foster community perhaps more than any other place I know. This is similar to a bar in the sense that you will be sitting around drinking and hanging out, but you won’t have to stay up super late for the party to start or deal with stupid pickup lines… at least not often.
2. Start a Conversation with People at Work
If you work in a building with several different businesses, it is very likely that you only speak to the people you know from your office, but why not branch out a little? Try striking up a conversation on the elevator or in the lounge. It doesn’t have to be profound, just share a random observation or drop a rightly-deserved compliment.
1. Decide to be a Friend
If you haven’t noticed already, the biggest trick to making new friends as an adult is deciding first to be a friend. Think about the types of people you want to be friends with and simply determine to use the opportunities your life offers you to be a friend to those around you. In return, you might be amazed at the friendships that begin to bloom around you.
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