How to meet new people?

[xnez]

I am in my mid 20's and wondering how to go about meeting new people?

I am really confused on this becuase i can't figuer out where to meet people or how to really go about this.

I have a small group of friends, but everyone is scattered around.

So how do i meet new people that i might be interested in knowing better?

[JimOfferman]

This question has been answered a few times already: go to places where other people are - it really is that simple. If you're into sports, join a team. If you have a hobby, join a club. Etc. But most of all, just go out and do stuff that you enjoy... compatible friends will follow inevitably.

(the exception being if you like living on top of a mountain in solitude...)

Jim.

[Freelancer]

Talk to them

[bradb]

I talk about this a lot on my blog. This article, in particular, seems to have struck a chord:

Social Skydiving: The Art of Talking to Strangers

Hope that helps.

[Zukin]

You can look at the upcoming events section on Facebook and see what things are happening in your area.

Political and nonprofit events are especially a good way to meet people, since they are trying to recruit others to their cause.

[Jim11]

You just have to get passed making excuses for joining different things. At least that was my problem

If you join a sports league, start frequenting environments with more people, volunteer at a local charity, and throw in a couple other things... you will surely meet some good people quickly. Or just one of those things if you're doing nothing.

These are all common things that everyone will tell you to do... but it really is that that simple. You just have to go out and do it without making excuses. "I'm too busy to fit this in", "that's too early in the morning", "I don't think people at this club will be my type", etc lol. I used to make those excuses a fair bit.

If you're into math:
1 in 25 people you get a good change to meet you find interesting and you'd like to be friends with.
You get a good chance to talk with 1 person a month for more than 2 minutes. BAD EQUATION... meet 50 people in a month and you'll come out with at least a couple good ones to keep around!

Mix in browsing a couple online personals if that's something you'd be into. Just a call for "hang out" or something. Or look up different local things like the facebook meetings the previous poster mentioned.

I found once I started talking to a few strangers in difference places and random people at work (who I usually wouldn't converse with) it quickly became habit... and usually a fun habit.

[NotesMaeve]

You teach me how to be obscure and I'll teach you how to work the room like a Kennedy. How are you managing to avoid people now?

[Love]

Now, how do you guys go about turning those acquaintances into friends?

[Ree]

This has been said before but it truly does work: Volunteer. Pick an area in which you are truly interested and volunteer. Animal shelters? Community theater? Children's hospital? Habitat for Humanity? No More Victims? There are unlimited opportunities and the best part is that you'll meet folks who share similar interests with you, and who will therefore be really easy to talk to and become friends with. And as a bonus, you'll be helping those who are in need and that feels good.

[NotesMaeve]

Originally Posted by Love

Now, how do you guys go about turning those acquaintances into friends?

"We should so hang out some time!!! Can I get your number?"

[Brendon Colby]

I've really determined the basis of my problem to be that of exposure to new people. I don't get out enough to be exposed to a lot of new people, thus I never seem to meet anyone that really clicks with me. This is very similar to jim11's post. The 30sleeps.com blog has a lot of great pointers as well.