Even if you are naturally shy, these three tricks will help you to quickly build a new social circle in any new city.
1. Take pictures
One of the great things about taking pictures at an event or party is that it gives you an excuse to get in touch with the person later. Everybody loves seeing pictures of themselves, and it’s very easy after taking a picture to say “If you’d like I can email it to you”. This can be the seed that leads to new connections. The next time you hear about a fun event email your new contacts to let them know about it.
2. Eat alone in public
You might feel self-conscious eating by yourself but it has an important benefit: you are much easier to approach when you are alone. People may be afraid of interrupting you or being rude if you are in a conversation with someone else. Bring a book or newspaper to read (this will make you feel less self-conscious). Plus, having an interesting book with you will give others an excuse to start a conversation if they’ve read it.
3. Join a class, sports team, or club
Yoga, salsa dancing, volleyball, Toastmasters (a public speaking club), a class for work, etc. Take up a new hobby or continue an old one!
These are all great places to meet new people, primarily because you will be forced to see the same people over and over again in the class. You will automatically make friends with them if you have a common interest and are forced to see each other again.
Tips:
* In the beginning, never turn down an invitation from someone, even if it’s something you wouldn’t normally do.
* Email your new friends with fun things to do instead of always asking what their plans are. If they have a better plan you can drop yours and join them. This will help establish you as someone who is contributing value instead of just taking it (people want this in a friend).
* Don’t let little things in life upset you or be a negative person. People don’t want to be around someone like that!
21. ____ can give you an excuse to start new connections.
A．Eating by yourself in public B．Taking pictures of others
C．Reading interesting books D．Joining group activities
22. When having meals, you’d better ____ if you want to make new friends.
A．sit on your own in public places
B．start a conversation with those who have friends aside
C．invite others to your apartment to eat together
D．approach others to show conscious friendliness
23. Which of the following pieces of advice is a tip from the text?
A．Try to be outgoing and talkative instead of being shy.
B．Never turn down an invitation from your friends.
C．Don’t give a negative response to any request.
D．Offer suggestions on how to spend time together.
24. By writing the text, the author intends to tell us ____.
A．why you should change when you move to a new city
B．why you should make new friends in a new city
C．how you can keep in touch with strangers
D．how you can make new friends in a new city