Beginning your exciting life in an online community can be both wonderful and a little intimidating. There are so many sites to choice from that offer such a wide variety of interests. The most important first step to take is matching your interests with those of the community you choose.
A good way to do this is to do a little research about the different sites that interest you. Many communities offer forums which non-members can review to get a better understanding of what topics are common within the community. Another excellent way to find the right spot for your interests is to take a look at online friend finding or online dating reviews that may help you to find likeminded people.
Once you have found the right place and set up you profile you will begin your exciting adventure. Meeting new people, even online, isn't always the easiest thing to do. In the beginning of a new relationship certain topics and discussions may be difficult to bring up or continue because you and this person do not yet know each other.
Personal topics can also be a tricky subject because you have to remember to safe-guard your privacy from strangers. This may leave such common discussion topics as work or home-town issues out of bounds because they may reveal info that is too telling.
While some individuals enjoy great confidence with their ability to chat and create discussions with new people, others find it to be terrifyingly difficult. For this reason a list of topics, along with a few lead-ins for bumpy beginnings may be just the right printout for you to keep handy. Once you settle into a conversation and hopefully some great relationships with new friends, you will no doubt find that your chatting abilities excel. Until then take comfort in knowing that there are literally millions of people in the world who like you, want to make new friends, but are just a little nervous about getting started.
Lighter Topics:
Major Weather Events: Take five minutes prior to logging into your community to browse the weather and look for any major events taking place around your country, or in an area a member of your community would relate to. Though this may not be the most interesting or uplifting discussion, but it is easily branched off from.
Lines:
- When I have been in ____weather I enjoy ___.
- I have never experienced ___ weather have you?
- I prefer ____ weather, how about you?
Hobbies: Sharing your interests and learning about the interests of others is an excellent way to share unique traits without becoming too personal too quickly. This kind of exchange may also help you to determine which of your new friends strikes you as the most likely to spark a long lasting relationship.
Lines:
- When I have free time I enjoy ____ .
- What do you enjoy doing with your free time____.
- My favorite hobbies are ____.
- Some of the activities I've tried and didn't like are ____.
How You Got Here: Whatever you or do not have in common with a new friend, you are both trying to meet new people through the same service. A pleasant way to get to know someone might be to find out what led them to an online service in the first place and how they decided upon the same service that you chose. Though this topic can be kept light it may lead to some very personal feelings being exchanged, be prepared for that adjustment.
Lines:
- I decided to join this community because ____.
- I am looking for ____ online because ____.
- Meeting people online appeals to me because ____.
Heavier Topics:
Past Relationships: A great many members of online communities choose this method because they have found more traditional methods of meeting friends or dates unsatisfying. The stories about past relationships that others have to share may be very helpful to you when trying to get to know them and yourself. Don't be afraid to share your past experiences with others, many people are glad to lend an ear.
Lines:
- My last relationship ended because ____.
- I have difficulty meeting ____.
- Meeting people has been difficult, my last experience _____.
Current Events: Though this subject can be discussed on a lighter note, it often leads to some pretty heated discussion. Whether the topic at hand is politics, religion or other world issues many people tend to feel strongly about such subjects. Tread lightly on the feelings of others, but make good use of this topic as it will help you to get to know others quickly. Remember to use non-confrontational phrases when trying to make new friends and be polite.
Lines:
- I read in the news ____ and I feel ____.
- I disagree with ____ because ____.
- I feel very passionate about ____ how do you feel about ____?
From the very first day of social interaction most people feel a little shy about meeting new friends. Though the task at hand may not be an easy one, remember that with the expansive reach that online matchmaking/friend finding provides you are likely to find just the right people to make your life a fuller and happier one than ever before.
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