Tips on Making Friends in a New Town

It can be hard to meet new people when you've• Book Club
moved to a new town. Even harder, is meeting• Scrap booking
like-minded people. There may be many reasons you• Running club-most cities have them
are not meeting new people. You're too busy, tooA great website for finding groups in your city that
tired, too shy, too frustrated by the social scene,are participating in activities that interest you is
and just overwhelmed by it all. However, the2. Find public events to attend
alternative is to be alone. Listed next are ways in• Found in the Metro section of the newspaper
which to prepare your self for meeting new people• Found online at your city's chamber of
and activities in which to engage in where you willcommerce website.
most likely meet like-minded people.3. Outdoor events
Prepare your self for meeting new people• Music festival or concert
To attract new friends, you must be ready for• Walk your dog- in areas where there are other
friendship. Here are ways to be prepared for meetingdog owners. You'll have your dogs in common
new people.• Go to a flea market
1. Get out of the House4. Indoor events
You'll never meet anyone by sitting alone at home.• Go to meetings of your professional
When you have a chance to meet people, make anorganizations or your alumni association they usually
effort and go. Even if you meet people and don'tsponsor events, trips or sporting events.
"click" at first, chances are that by repeated• Attend concerts, plays and seminars-mingle
exposure these people will become your friends.during intermission
2. Remember to have a friendly and open demeanor.• Attend wine tasting events
Smile often and make eye contact. Smiling often,• Visit the museum
while in a conversation,directly affects how friendly• Visit the mall
and approachable you are perceived to be. Be5. Volunteer
prepared to introduce yourself to strangers.Work as a volunteer for an organization that you are
3. Make sure your hygiene is tops.passionate about, and meet people with the same
No one wants too be near someone with poorpassion.
hygiene. Check your breath; make sure your clothes• Soup kitchen
are clean and appropriate.• Non-profit organization
4. Relax• Research Laboratory
Relax and don't worry about the event. This won't6. Spend free time with co-workers and classmates
be the last one. So, relax and have a good time and• Invite them over for dinner
you will appear more approachable.• Go out to lunch or brown bag it in the park
Activities to engage in for meeting new people• Attend their events
1. Join a groupWhen attending the above events, remember to
Being part of a group with people whose interestsengage in conversation. Attending these activities will
are similar to yours is an easy way to make friends:be fruitless if you don't talk to people. If you make a
• Attend a church-top of the list. It's a place notconnection, swap email addresses and phone
only to worship, but to find support.numbers. Keep in touch and make an effort to stay
• Take a class-try writing, yoga, painting,in touch.
photography, gardening, dog training