Don’t force depth—just consistent, pleasant acknowledgment. Some of these weak ties will naturally deepen into friendships through discovered commonalities. Sociological research reveals that “weak ties”—casual acquaintances rather than close friends—often lead to meaningful opportunities and connections.

Begin With Small Talk

In this article, we’ll guide you through seven practical tips for overcoming shyness and making friends. Whether you’re in a new social setting or trying to meet new people, these tips will help you break the ice and foster lasting connections. Plus, we’ll show you how games like the Pick Me Up Party Game can be a fun, low-pressure way to get to know others. I’ll focus on making real-life friends, rather than forming online connections, where you may talk to over text, but never meet up.

Practice Before Implementation

• If in-person socializing feels intimidating, online communities offer a great way to meet like-minded people.
• Living with roommates can be a fantastic way to make new friends, especially if you’re moving to a new city or neighborhood.
• Often, it’s possible to rekindle old friendships with people just by reaching out via text or social media to say “Hi” or catch up.
• There are so many online platforms designed to connect people with similar interests.

It also creates more space for trust to develop, and trust is always a good thing. A slow start often leads to stronger relationships down the line, after all. So maybe you have a hard time opening up to new people right away, or you feel a little uneasy before you have to speak to someone new. Of course, you can’t bring someone with you everywhere you go, but the idea here is that eventually you’ll feel ready to face those situations alone.

Shy people often attend one or two events, experience no magical connection, and conclude the strategy doesn’t work. Before attending social events, spend 10 minutes mentally rehearsing your toolkit. This preparation dramatically reduces in-the-moment anxiety when you need to deploy these tools. For foundational work on managing the underlying shyness, review our comprehensive guide on how to overcome shyness before implementing these friendship strategies. The methods in this article honor your shy temperament while providing practical pathways to connection.

Regular messaging or calling shows you care and keeps the connection alive. Small gestures such as sending a funny meme or sharing an article of interest can start meaningful exchanges. The Bully uses intimidation—physical, verbal, or intellectual—to get their way.

Keep in mind that many people come to cafes to work or relax alone, so it’s crucial to respect their space and time. You can also engage in conversation with the staff, which can naturally evolve into exchanges with other customers. It’s important to respect the quiet nature of the space, so favor brief and discreet interactions. Ask open-ended questions that encourage your conversational partner to share more, and avoid interrupting or preparing your response while they are speaking. Mexican Loves