Ways to make friends with anybody

Everybody wants to make friends, this is normal. It's good and healthy to have friends. Friends are very important because they give you support. Making new friends can be tough, especially if you are the shy type. Don't let being shy get in the way of making new friends. Anyone can make friends, so here are some simple tips to get you started.

The most important step to making a friend is to smile. This is the easiest and quickest way to make friends. When you smile, people think you are pleasant and easy to talk to. They will feel more comfortable talking to you if you smile and look friendly.

Compliment the person you are speaking to. One easy way to start a conversation is to say something nice about him or her. For example, you can tell someone that you like their shirt. Think about how great you feel when someone says something nice to you. Doesn't it make you want to keep talking to that person?

Asking someone questions about themselves is a good conversation starter. Who is their favorite singer? Who is their favorite author or what is their favorite book? Where do they live? These are all good questions to start a conversation. It's not really nosy to ask questions about people. It's the only way to get to know what they are like and to let them know that you are interested in getting to know them.

Make sure that you have something to add to the conversation. If someone asks you a question, make sure to have an answer for them. If you don't know who your favorite singer is or what your hobbies are, think about what kind of music you like and how you like to spend your time.

Say thank you. Shy people often have some trouble with compliments. When someone says something nice, shy people will often freeze and say nothing. This makes the other person wonder if he or she said something wrong. The best and easiest answer to a compliment is to say "Thank You."

Be a good friend. People who show an interest in others, who are kind and friendly make good friends. Remember, everybody wants to be around people who like to do similar things and be around people that are nice to them.

Don't give orders. No one likes to take orders, it is better that you ask instead of order. For example, don't say "give me that," say "may I have that please?" Be polite. There is a saying that goes something like: "Everyone gains where courtesy reigns."

Remember that a person's name is the most important sound in any language to that person. It is very important to remember their name and to pronounce it correctly.

Don't gripe about other people. Constantly griping about failures and weaknesses of other people can make your listener feel like they can't trust you. How do they know you aren't complaining about them to other friends? Potential friends aren't going to trust you if you gossip to them about other people in your life.

It is very important to not expect instant results. Good friends aren't made overnight. Sharing your deepest secrets in one night won't necessarily create a close friendship. It may drive the other person away. Take it slowly. Allow the relationship to hold some weight before you share the more delicate issues in your life. Divulge 'safe' secrets first until the friendship grows.

The one most important step to making friends is to think about how you would like to be treated, and then treat other people the same way.