Reaching out

I realized a while ago that I'm not a person who generally reaches out to others. I'm not good at remembering to call, email, introduce myself to people or try to start a friendship.

So I tried to change that because I figure, if no one reaches out, we're all just in it alone, right?

Are you the kind of person who will make the first move to contact a friend or family? Or attempt to start a friendship with someone, or even converse with a stranger?

Re: Reaching out

I talk to strangers all the time

I will start friendships if I feel there is something in common..but only up to a certain point

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I have a hard time initating friendships, but once it is established, I'm comfortable with the upkeep of calling/emailing.

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I'm bad about initiating and keeping it up, but I do try. I'm trying to get better about it. Luckily, my group of friends is very understanding -- We all have demanding lives and jobs and understand that we aren't always on top of things.

I wish I were better... It's one thing I'm making an effort to be better about this year.

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I am very good at initiating friendships, when I first moved here I didn't know anybody...but as time went on, I met people in strange places and we have become friends! Also, when my son was born I met a few girls in parenting classes who lived near me, I got their numbers and now we are all great friends!

Sometimes you have to make the first move!

eta...I am particularly appalling at keeping in touch with old friends. Appalling. Horrible.

Message edited 2/8/2008 9:17:15 AM.

Re: Reaching out

Definitely not. I am very introverted and a home-body. Plus I abhor the phone. All in all, a bad combination for being social. I am definitely better at making plans/seeing people in the warm weather. In the cold, I just want to stay in under a warm blanket

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I'm pretty good with maintaining friendships.

And I am pretty outgoing and will talk to anyone in a store that will listen. But as far as developing a friendship from that - never happens.

Guess I'm a little stand offish in the respect that I don't really need new friends at this point in my life.

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I am good at maintaining friendships via email, text or FM. I am not a "talker" on the phone so if you are a friend that requires constant chats, I am probably not very good at that. But my friends know this about me and love me anyway.

I also don't "reach" out as much as I probably should. I stick with the people that I know and like. I don't work very hard at developing new relationships.

Message edited 2/8/2008 9:46:19 AM.

Re: Reaching out

I'm friendly to strangers & will start conversations.

I'll make the attempt to befriend someone but I'm not the friend that reaches out all of the time. I'm horrible at calling (most of my calls are when I'm in the car driving somewhere alone).

All of my friends are very low-maintenance & know that I'm still their friend regardless of how many calls I make or times they see me. Anyone keeping track of that contact isn't for me.

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I'm good at starting friendships, but I hate the phone and I think it hinders my friendships. I get nervous with the silence, and there are only a few people that I actually can feel comfortable talking on the phone with. It's hard since I'm in a different state from most friends, and so I should try to call more. I feel like email and IM just don't cut it.

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I am very outgoing superficially.

I will chill with anyone. talk to anyone. party and have a drink with anyone.

but I don't make friends easily at all...like real, personal friends.

I am HORRIBLE at calling the friends I do have. HORRIBLE.

and I think about them all the time. I just HATE talking about life. I am an action oriented person. I HATE HATE HATE the phone.

email is the only way I reach out.

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I'm always the one that reaches out. It's my job I guess!

Now that I'm on a semi strike, my Mom calls me a recluse

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I'm always the one who calls, e-mails or texts friends.
I'm terrible at starting friendships....honestly, this website has been great for that cuz I've gotten to be friends with so many people.

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I'm terrible with the maintanence aspect of friendships....I'm always late with the return phone calls although I am better with return emails. I'm typically not the inviter but always accept invitations....I'm not quiet, shy, or introverted just I guess I have always been the follower and most of my friends are the "leaders." i dont think its a weakness and my friends accept me for who I am.

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I'm the one who reaches out to friends and family ALL the time.

But starting friendships? Complete opposite. I'm really shy with new people.

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Strangers used to freak me out but in NC most people are super friendly. I talked to this really nice guy yesterday outside of Starbucks. He just moved here from NJ and when another person heard us talking about the Giants, they came over.

I like to call and email people but if it feels really one sided then I will stop initiating contact.

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Sometimes.... I've been trying to pull together some dinner plans with friends I haven't seen in awhile and it's always me reaching out and coordinating... but in a social situation I find it very hard to just strike up a convo. I've always been kind of on the quiet side.

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Yes...partly bc I am curious all the time and probably a lot bc of my profession (HR)....but yes, I do like to get to know the people I am surrounded by.