I wrote a post last week about what moving to a new country can really look like. So many of you wrote me notes with your own horror stories. Holy guacamole, I thought my goat in the basement story was good but a few of you have really done it tough on arrival!
Which brings me to my next post.
Many of you mentioned that although you can laugh about it now, finding your feet in a new location can be a soul destroying exercise. The most common question I’m asked is “How do you make new friends or meet people?”
I recently wrote a post for Time Out Kids. It’s not online so I can’t include a link, but if you’re in Doha you can find the lift out in this month’s Time Out, it’s a back to school feature and full of ideas on great activities for families. However, if you’re further afield, here’s my top 10 tips on how to make friends if you’re new in town:
3. Accept All Invitations
Okay, tell me what I’ve missed. Do you have any tips for meeting people when you’re new in town? Or even if you’re not, how do you meet people?
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Maybe a few more, if I may. The opposite of No 3 – sometimes DOING the inviting is required. Have an open house with neighbours; or offer to host a class/play group/book club at your place. Sometimes invitations take a while to come.
I met a really good friend in the chiropractors – my daughter whispered rather loudly ‘that lady is from Australia’ and the lady said ‘I am! And I can tell you are too, where are you from?’ and so the conversation started, phone numbers were exchanged and the first coffee date set.
Volunteer – at a local charity, school etc. They always need extra help.
Use your network! Ask for introductions. The expat community is a global mob, and someone will know someone who’d lived where you’re about to land and they’ll have a friend still living there.
I think it has a lot to do with one’s personality and how social and ‘out there’ you are. I find meeting new people and making friends rather easy, while others don’t. Think you also have to realize very quickly the word friend has many definitions.
x
Agree with your Top 10 tips and relieved to see I’m employing several on the repatriation side of things. When I met the woman who would ultimately turn out to be my closest Dutch friend while at a traffic light (she was a beginning jogger, I was walking my dog and thinking I’d like to get back into jogging), I’m convinced you can meet people ANYWHERE.
I agree. I made a friend in the line at immigration once. 🙂
Here in Houston I keep stepping forward, out of my comfort zone. I signed up for the PTO, put my name down to volunteer at my younger child’s school, signed up for the fall carnival, offered to host a women’s group in my home, and signed up for a women’s program at our new church. I find being the one to initiate gives more opportunities, and it requires staying upbeat and positive – being the person people want to say yes to when you invite them for a coffee. 🙂
These 10 ways to meet new people are really good. I am
bookmarking your blog for future references.
Thanks
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