Here's a guide to becoming friends with an acquaintance. It really isn't hard, all that is needed is a little courage and possibly some charisma.
Steps
- Pick a good acquaintance for your new friend. You don't want to get closer to someone only to find out he/she is annoying. Notice how the acquaintance interacts with his/her closer friends. During your casual interactions, see if this person shares interests with you. Will you have enough conversation material for more in depth discussions? If you just want to get to know someone, being acquaintances might be close enough. You can always become closer friends later. However, if you really like this person, go for it!
- You need to know when to talk to the person. If you know each other from school, then try to sit with them at lunch. Is this person in a club you can join? Can you sit next to the person in a class? In the hallway? Even if you can only exchange a couple sentences, any conversation with this potential friend is a good start. Slowly start extending your casual conversations. Maybe delve into slightly more friendly topics.
- If you both have phones, exchange numbers (if you haven't already). Texting is a great way to grow closer to someone you don't know very well. People feel more safe typing behind a screen. It's a nice way to communicate outside of work/school without taking the next step- arranging a meeting. And when you're ready for that meeting, texting is a great way to work out a time.
- As you get to know this person, you will have more personal conversations. Don't skip to sharing every detail of your bathroom habits in the first phone call, but feel free to discuss more than the weather. You know this person; simply begin to test the limits of what you usually discuss. Ask a lot of questions. You want to know this person better. Share more about yourself as well; (just avoid hogging the conversation)!
- When you are ready, ask this person to go with you to lunch or after school/work out to a local gas station on the way home for a drink or candy bar. Keep it small as to prevent a scare. Do this a few times. It's best to start in neutral locations- don't invite this person to your house. Certainly don't invite yourself over to his/hers! Don't make a big deal of the meeting. Simply ask if they want to lunch (or whatever activity you can agree on). If you don't make it seem like a big deal, it won't be one.
- If step 2 works out, move on to going with some friends somewhere, i.e the beach on a weekend, dinner, etc. It doesn't need to be fancy, but just to point where the other person realizes you want to be around them. Having other friends around can make it easier to ease into this next step of friendship. Just make sure you don't ignore this person for the friends you already have! By this point, if the person likes you, he/she shouldn't feel too uncomfortable accepting invitations. Have fun together!
- As a final step, invite your new friend to the house. Inviting someone into your home is a sign of closeness and trust. You'll be able to sense when your relationship is ready. Again, be casual about it and your new friend will probably say yes. By this point, you are friends. You don't need to worry too much about things. Just talk to the person when you have something to tell him/her and invite him/her over when you want to hang out. Success!
Tips
- Be yourself. Anyone can figure out if someone is wearing a mask. Most of us want to know who is underneath.
- Learn a little about the person before hand.
- Don't try too hard to make friends, this will make you seem desperate and will get you the total opposite result.
- Talk to the person confidently in a happy tone. Do not feel shy.
- Smile always and don't forget to brush. Unsightly teeth will make for great enemies, however a nice white smile will bring about lots of friends.
- Be nice to the person.
Warnings
- Watch out for bad people.
- Make sure someone always knows where you are at all times in case of an emergency.
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