Firstly, a vital aspect to know is that it is possible to befriend anyone regardless of age, gender, or even things that base down to how similar/unsimilar you could be! If you are viewing this tutorial to learn how to befriend a unicorn or something, then I imagine that there will be at least one thing here that could help with that.
Secondly, get to know them on easy steps. Learn about them, simple things: favorite colors, foods, animals, etc. Basic things like a person’s favorite season, or their favorite sport could go a long way. Things that people favorite often wriggle their way into conversations, and as a friend, it’s an important thing that you listen. People love to talk about themselves, it’s only an aspect of our social species.
Thirdly, have consistently simple, very balanced conversations. Conversations are like ping-pong, where one person says one thing, another person responds. Conversations are a natural part of human interaction. We are known to be social butterflies naturally, after all. If a person really was that bored, then at some point they’d start trying to conversate with a cat. (Speaking from personal experience.)
Fourthly, give and accept praise. As social animals, people often gain joy and serotonin via simple compliments and praise. Don’t forget that conversations are simply ping-pong games. If they compliment you, compliment them back! Had a person complimented you, and you dismissed them, or responded with something that purposefully disregards their expression, then the person may feel uneasy and/or invalidated. Compliments and praise go long ways, it’s important to keep it in mind.
Fifthly, be consistent and aware. Keep up with connections, even if it’s just a text message per day. A small “How’s your day been?” can go a long way for some people. Everyone fights their own battles, and that’s something to consider. If a check-a-day can happen to fit into your schedule, then never, ever hesitate to reach out. You might make someone’s day better.
Sixthly, always consider your friend’s feelings. A friendship is a walk on a tightrope; you’ve got to weigh the balance just right, otherwise fall. Going to your friend and venting about your problems is always alright. Although, if you do so and reject your friend when they need someone to talk to, then it threatens the tightrope’s balance.
Lastly, maintain trust. Trust is important in any relationship, whether it’s between families, friends, or even legitimate relationships. The trust between friends can symbolize the stuntist that’s standing on the tightrope, holding a balance upon both ends. Betraying trust is like throwing rocks and tomatoes at the stuntist, or in any other way, disrupting the person’s balance. They’ll fumble. And with enough thrown rocks, he’ll fall and splat. (Don’t make them splat, man. That’s not cool.)
