Click here for I just want to make friends with you They make you laugh, they go on adventures with you, and they',re there for you when times are tough. But sometimes making new friends can feel really hard, whether you',re trying to meet friends in school, online, or... How to Make Friends. This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD. Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. She provides therapy to people who struggle with addictions, mental health, and trauma in community health settings and private practice. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 9,530,234 times. Friends are wonderful. They make you laugh, they go on adventures with you, and they're there for you when times are tough. But sometimes making new friends can feel really hard, whether you're trying to meet friends in school, online, or as an adult. Fortunately, making new friends doesn't have to be hard, especially once you know where to look and how to put yourself out there. Keep reading to learn foolproof tips and strategies for making new friends so you can start building the friendships you deserve. Remember, friends rarely come knocking on your door while you sit at home playing on your laptop. If you see opportunities to get out there and meet people, take them. For example, try going to social functions at school or work. If someone invites you to a party, go for it! For example, you could join the science club at school, the marching band, a knitting group, or any other shared-interest group. If you play instruments or sing, try joining a band or choir. Joining a sports team is a good option if you’re the athletic type or just want to try something challenging and new! If you’re religious, a church, Mosque, temple, or other house of worship is a great place to start since you and the other people there will at least have a religious faith in common. Tip: There are lots of online resources for finding groups that share your interests. Try looking at local groups on Meetup.com or browsing groups and events in your area on Facebook. For example, you might donate your time at a local nursing home, hospital, animal shelter, or non-profit organization. Do an online search or call charitable organizations in your area to find volunteering opportunities near you. For example, if you’re a parent, you might reach out to the other parents of your child’s classmates. Setting up a play-date for the kids can be a good opportunity for you to get to know some new adult friends. You can talk to anybody: the clerk at the video store, the person sitting next to you on public transit, or the person in front of you in the lunch line. Don't be too picky. Having good manners goes a long way. You can start talking to people by simply greeting them with a Good morning, how are you?" as you pass them by. Showing simple good manners by greeting people makes you seem more friendly and people tend to respond well to it. It's a great way to start communicating with people. Do not squint, look bored, frown, or look deadpan. Try to avoid closed-off body language, like folding your arms or hanging out alone in a corner. Did you know? Mirroring another person’s body language is a great way to build rapport with them. While you’re talking to someone, try to subtly imitate their expressions and gestures. For example, if they smile or lean forward while talking to you, do the same. [5] X Research source. Try making a comment about your immediate environment. The weather is a classic: "At least it's not raining like last week!" Make a request for help: "Can you help me carry a few boxes, if you have a minute?" or "Can you help me decide which one of these is a better gift for my mom?" Alternatively, you could offer help. For example, "Hey, do you need a hand cleaning up?" Give a compliment, such as, "That's a nice car," or "I love your shoes." Avoid making the compliment too personal, though, since that can make people uncomfortable. Follow up immediately with a related question. For example, "Where’d you get those shoes? I’ve been looking for a pair like that." People enjoy talking about themselves and about how great they are or look. By listening more than you talk, you will come across as a desirable friend. Show that you are listening actively by nodding, maintaining eye contact, and following up what they say with questions or comments. For example, if the other person tells you about their job, you could say something like, "Oh, cool! How did you get into that?" Alternatively, you can open the conversation by introducing yourself. For example, you could approach a new co-worker by saying, "Hi, I’m Sophie. I just want to make friends with you I just wanna make friends I just want to make friends I just want to make new friends
