Another activity you could use to meet people is volunteering. [4] X Research source Try volunteering at your local library, food bank, or homeless shelter.
Come up with several talking points for each topic ahead of time. That way, you know exactly how to respond if someone else brings the topic up.
If you’re having trouble working up the nerve, try reducing your stress first. For instance, you can try a short meditation before you approach someone. Find a quiet place, and take a moment to focus on your breathing. Try counting to four as you breath in through your nose and to four again as you breath out through your mouth. Focus on your breathing until you feel some of your anxiety calming down. Another way you can help yourself is to decide what you’re going to say before you approach the person. That way, you are prepared ahead of time. However, try not to think about what you shouldn’t say, as it may pop out of your mouth.
One way you can show you’re listening is to offer short summaries of what you hear her saying, such as, “That’s awesome that you have two cats. I wish I wasn’t allergic. " Another way to show you’re listening is to ask relevant follow-up questions.
As an example, you could say, “What do you have going on Friday night?” She may say “Nothing much” or “I was thinking about going to a concert, but I can’t make up my mind. " You can say, “Well, I’m going to see this awesome throw-back movie playing downtown. Have you ever seen Singing in the Rain?”
For instance, you could say, “Have you heard about any fun events going on this weekend?” In turn, she might say, “Oh, I heard there was a folk festival on the south side of town. " You could say, “That sounds fun! Maybe we should go together. " If she says no, accept it, and move on. You can always meet someone else.
For instance, try taking a cooking class together, or learn how to fly fish if you both like the outdoors.
