You’re awesome and you know it!
Why wouldn’t someone want to be friends with you?
I mean,what do you even sayto someone you’re interested in forming a friendship with?
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Our pro tip for advancing the conversation and making someone feel like you’re interested and engaged?
Ask a bunch ofintentionalquestions.
When possible, ask open-ended questions that dont instigate yes or no answers.
This promotes follow-up conversation, adds Gottsman.
As you get to know someone, you’re free to move to more involved conversations.
Using non-question statements can help initiate deeper conversations.
Dont be fiddling with your phone, checking out the scenery, leaning away or appearing distracted.
Be engaged, curious, and interested, says Serani.
Rephrase and reflect.Let your new acquaintance know that youre listening by reflecting back what you hear them share.
Empathy and compassion are building blocks for forging good friendships, says Serani.
When meeting someone new, she suggests being mindful of the tempo of your engagements.
Dont ask why questions.Why questions can make a person feel defensive or criticized.
Instead, Serani says start with questions that use words likeWhat, HowandWhen.
The key is to listen intentionally, without trying to bring the ball back to yourself, she says.
Doi:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797618774252
