I cook at home because of restaurant prices and tip culture. Driving everywhere sucks. Everything feels miles away so good luck walking.
“Hi, my name is…”
Admittedly, most of my friends are made at work, however it’s not impossible to meet people in other places. It really just boils down to going places other people are, smiling, and saying “Hello” or “Cool <whatever you find interesting about them>” to a lot of people. If you’re at a store and see someone struggling to load their car or truck, ask if you can give them a hand.
Probably will go no further than that most of the time, however, it might just make their day. Which they will remember. Might have been the first compliment they’ve gotten in a while. Might have been the first time anyone has offered to help them without asking anything in return.
Ever now and then, though, you’ll find yourself with a new friend with a common interest. Probably just for the moment, but if you see them again, say “hi” again. If you’ve got something you think is cool that they might also find interesting, perhaps show it off.
And remember their name. It can help to work it into the conversation. Seriously, Bonje. People like hearing their own name in friendly contexts.
Relationships are really just a longer term version of this with people you already have met.
If this sounds a bit like sales, you ain’t half wrong. What you are selling is you. The payment you are asking for their time, their attention.
Don’t be pushy. Accept no as an answer. But say “hello” to everyone.
IWW4@lemmy.zip 18 hours ago
I can only answer this based on what I did.
After college I joined the Army. it is easier to meet people in the Army than it is in college. The army was wild. The days last forever but the weeks go by quick. In the army it is not uncommon to meet someone and by the end of the day they are the best friend you ever had and two weeks later you don’t see them again.
After the Army I settled in a suburban area started working a civilian job and raised my family. I met my best friend as he lived two doors down from us and his two kids were one year younger and one year older than my kid, so we were the two dads watching over the kids in the neighborhood.
From there we started lifting weights together, taking our families to football games and having cookouts together. We also had other families in the neighborhood come and go.
I also made friends through work. I worked in IT so it was a fun job and the people I worked with were great.
The most important thing is proximity.
TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone 18 hours ago
Lmao don’t join the military
ameancow@lemmy.world 18 hours ago
While I get the sentiment about comradery and connection through the focused goals, intense time investment and hardships that military training gives you… I think I’m going to recommend people find ways to connect that don’t lead to potentially murdering Iranians or getting murdered by drones in the wreckage of Tehran or wherever we decide to “freedom” next.