How To Know If You’re Talking to a Potential Friend

If you’re in a room full of people, it becomes important for you to figure out whether you’re chatting with a potential friend or just someone you’ll never see again. If you’re in an environment where you could talk to anyone, then that makes you want to talk to the right people.

Here is a checklist that will help you figure out if you’re dealing with a potential friend:

Do they focus on the same level as you?

Here, you want to know if they have interests that are compatible with yours. If you don’t care about what the latest app is, it’s not a good idea to try and make friends with an app store fanatic. Some people like mainstream music, brands, news, and films, while others prefer sophisticated and rare things. You need to stick with people who are at least a little like you because, in this case, opposites do not attract.

Do they have the same aspirations as you?

As you talk to someone new, try and figure out where they are heading. For example, some people seek more stability and security in their life, others seek adventure, discoveries, and thrill. It’s a good idea to stick with people who want the same things as you. Otherwise, it’d be hard to support each other on your goals, if you ever become friends.

Do they have room for new friends?

This depends on your friendship style: if you like to have both casual and close friends, then you can even be friends with people who have enough close friends, and who can have a great number of casual friendships.

If you’re only interested in close and meaningful friends, then do know that not everyone has room for that, as it takes more time and commitment. That’s why you should be a little more patient in order to find people who are ready for you.

Things to talk about to turn a stranger into a friend

If you’ve found someone that you think could be a great friend for you, then you may wonder what you should talk about so they realize how interesting you could be, as a friend.

The way I see it, the exact topics or things to talk about doesn’t matter that much. What really matters are the feelings, or vibes that you set out. I’m not talking about magic-powder or fairy tales, here is exactly how to set the vibe right so you can make friends with someone new:

You Must Prove You Can See The World Through Their Eyes

Here, your imagination will help you. People love to realize that you can imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes. As you’re talking to someone about their situation (relationship situation, career, life stage, etc.) imagine that you’re in that situation and ask questions from there. If you can do that, they’ll see that you can really understand them, and that’s a great point for you.

You Must Prove That You’re Usually A Good Company (To Others or To Yourself)

This is easier than it sounds, because all you have to do is describe how you get along well with other, by mentioning your friends or your partner. If you don’t have any friends worth mentioning right now, you can prove how good of a company you are to yourself. You do this by just talking about how you enjoy doing what you do, or how much you trust your ability to overcome your current challenges.

You Must Prove That You’re Altruistic – A Giver

People like to hang out with givers. As they tell you about what’s going on currently in their life, try and find ways you can help them. You can either, introduce them others who can help them, or simply mention a resource, or a book that can help them get what they want. This proves that you’re a generous person that can give, and not someone who’s just trying to get-get-get.