How to take a friendship to the next level
Whether you’ve moved towns, changed jobs, given up work, or just lost touch with people – it can be pretty tough trying to make new friends later in life. Most people are quite set in their ways by now, and are perhaps not open to the idea of letting new friendships develop.
So if you find yourself in a situation where you’d like to make some new pals, or perhaps you’ve met someone that you’ve hit it off with – how do you take it from mere acquaintances to actual real friendship?
1. Start theoretical
A great way to test the waters and see if the other person wants to take things further too is to start off with a statement such as ‘we should do this again sometime’ or ‘I’ll have to shout you a coffee next time I see you.’ From there you can gauge their reaction. If they smile and agree, then by all means you might just have a new friend there. If they say something like ‘well I’m pretty busy at the moment’ then you will know that perhaps this is one friendship that may not get to bloom.
2. Keep it low key
A popular first step for a new friendship is asking someone to catch up for a coffee. Meeting in a café is a good start, or why not think of a good reason to meet somewhere in particular? For instance you could say ‘I know you’re interested in art so why don’t we meet at the gallery for a coffee?’ From there you could comfortably suggest having a wander around and discuss the artworks.
3. Share a new experience
Another great idea for forming friendship is to share a new experience. Maybe you could suggest meeting at a new coffee shop or bar that’s just opened up. Or you might suggest meeting for a walk on a great coastal walking track that you’ve heard about. Discovering something together gives you something in common to bond over.
4. Look for shared interests
Once you start talking to someone it is often easy to find some common ground that opens you up to another catch up. Ask if they have seen the trailer for a film that you’d love to see. Mention that you were thinking about joining a book club and see if they’d like to join you. It might just be the start of a beautiful friendship.
Got any tips to share on how to make a friendship blossom? Please share your ideas in the comments.
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