Navigating Connection: Signs Someone Might Be Interested in Being Your Friend
Building meaningful connections with others is a fundamental part of the human experience, and recognizing when someone is interested in being your friend can be both exciting and feels great. In this blog post, we'll explore some subtle cues and behaviors that may indicate someone is interested in building a friendship with you.
Initiates Conversations:
A key indicator that someone is interested in being your friend is their willingness to initiate conversations. Whether it's starting a chat online, texting, or striking up a conversation in person, a person who actively seeks out communication values your company and is likely interested in establishing a connection.
Actively Listens:
Pay attention to how engaged they are during your interactions. A person interested in being your friend will actively listen, ask questions, and show genuine interest in what you have to say. Their focus on the details of your life demonstrates a desire to know you on a deeper level. In Dale Carnegie’s book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, his tips on how to make friends or “principles” include, “Become genuinely interested in other people” and “Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves”. If the person you are talking to only talks about themselves, chances are they are not very interested in talking to you. If however, the other person shows interest in you and encourages you to talk about yourself, signs are, they are interested in getting to know you.
Bonus tip- if they use your name in conversation it is a sign they are interested in knowing you (or just have great people skills). According to Carnegie, a person’s name “is the sweetest and most important sound in any language” to that person. When you think about it, babies work at saying mommy and daddy, but what do they hear from their beloved parents? Their name. If a person uses your name this is a good sign.
Makes Time for You:
Friendships thrive on shared time and experiences. If someone consistently makes an effort to spend time with you, whether it's grabbing a coffee, attending events together, or simply hanging out, it's a strong sign that they value your companionship.
Shares Personal Information:
Friendships often blossom when there's a mutual exchange of personal information. If someone is comfortable sharing details about their life, experiences, and thoughts with you, it indicates a level of trust and openness that goes beyond casual acquaintance.
Initiates Invitations:
Keep an eye out for invitations. If someone is eager to include you in their plans, whether it's inviting you to a social event, joining a group activity, or suggesting one-on-one outings, it's a clear sign they want you to be a part of their social circle.
Make sure you are paying attention though, a lot of time people start off with a question or statement to test the waters before jumping into an invite. For example, someone may say, “have you ever tried Indian food?” And you just answer with, “no, I hate it”, you shut them down. If instead you tried, “I don’t know, I actually haven’t ever tried”, they may just invite you to go try it out with them!
Offers Support:
A friend is someone you can lean on, and someone interested in being your friend will likely offer support when you need it. Whether it's lending a listening ear, providing advice, or being a shoulder to lean on, their willingness to be there for you is a strong indicator of friendship.
Displays Open Body Language and Positive Micro-expressions:
Positive body language is a universal sign of friendliness. If someone displays open gestures, like smiling, maintaining eye contact, and uncrossing their arms when interacting with you, it suggests they feel comfortable in your presence and are open to building a friendship.
According to Vanessa Van Edward’s in her book, Captivate, there are seven micro-expressions we can observe as well to see how another person genuinely feels. She defines micro expressions as, “a brief involuntary facial expression that humans make when they feel an intense emotion”. To understand how another person feels we can look out for micro-expressions to see if they match what the other person is saying. For example, if you make a joke and the other person smirks, you may think they are smiling and think what you said is funny. However, the smirk according to Van Edward’s, is a sign of contempt. Understanding and reading these expressions can be so helpful when we try to understand what the other person is thinking and how they feel.
Shares Common Interests:
Shared interests are the building blocks of many friendships. If someone actively seeks out common ground, whether it's through similar hobbies, passions, or values, it's a sign that they are looking to connect with you on a deeper level.
Friendship is a beautiful journey that often begins with subtle signs of interest. While these cues can offer insights into someone's intentions, it's important to remember that every individual expresses themselves differently. Building friendships takes time, so approach these indicators with an open heart and be receptive to the shared experience of connection. If you notice these signs in someone, don't hesitate to reciprocate and actively participate in the friendship-building process. After all, the most enduring friendships are often built on mutual respect, shared experiences, and the joy of discovering life together.