How to Meet New People

You've just moved into your new apartment or house and you feel good. New furniture, cabinets full of food and drinks, and not to mention, your cable is all hooked up baby. It's Saturday night and you're watching television. What a loser. It's not as tough as you think to meet new people in the area. With a little personality and a bit of perseverance, you too can have a few neighbors to call your own.

APPROACH PEOPLE

You're in a new neighborhood and you don't know a soul, that's just great. Now you can start fresh and clean and all the bad memories in the old neighborhood is forgotten. You're first interactions with your new neighbors will determine your fate and they'll decide what they think of you. You mess up this chance and you'll forever be branded as a weirdo. Make sure your first expression is the best:

-Spotting- Check out the neighborhood from a distance. Look for individuals who don't tend to be busy hustling to get somewhere and yelling at their children.

-Approach- Walk in view of him/her and even wave as you approach.

-Greeting- Introduce yourself in whatever way you feel comfortable. "Hello, my name is Steven. I just moved here," is a great start. They will pick up the slack at this point and offer a welcoming reply.

-Conversation- Keep the conversation on a common level: area of living, activities, things to do around town. Make sure you watch for signs that your new neighbor is finished talking. Keeping them for a long time might make them a bit aggravated. Nice quick conversation and that's it.

-Exit- Leave your new neighbor thinking that you are relaxed, easy going, and someone he/she will get along with.

You can also have reason to talk to your new neighbor. Just go up to your neighbor's door and ask to borrow some non-threatening equipment. Maybe a screwdriver or tape. Whatever the reason, the opportunity to chat will be right then and there.

BECOME INVOLVED IN YOUR DIRECT COMMUNITY

Whenever you move there will be groups of people that love the neighborhood and constantly trying to make things better. Join them. The town ball is a great place to sign up for whatever community service activities strikes you. A few great organizations that might be in your area are:

-Habitat for Humanity- organization that helps build homes and shelters for the needy.

-United Way- group that concentrates on health and human services.

-City Year- organizations at helping young people change the world.

-Literacy Volunteers for America- group that's distributed to helping people learn how to read.

Also places of worship are great places to meet nice people with all sorts of interest. Church member's area often the ones that host many activities and town happenings.

Another great way to become past great way to become part of a community is to join some type of literary group.

- Check the bulletin board at your local libraries

- Look in the local newspaper

- Browse Web bulletin bounds

- Ask around

Hanging out at a local coffee house can build familiarization and you'll soon start to recognize people who come in regularly. You'll build your way up the "I know you" chain and eventually, small talk will strike it up. If this doesn't seem fun or right to you, then pick another location with much more cooler people like:

- Local gym

- Local store

- Local Park

- Local bar

- Local car wash

You never know, someone could be in your position in the future. Now this time he's the new guy and you're one of the "families." Make whoever he/she is feel welcome just as the people did for you before.