9 Simple but Original Ways to Meet New People

Americans today assign greater value to friendship but report having fewer close friends. That’s according to the Survey Center on American Life. In a survey in 2021, it found that just under 50 percent of respondents believed they would be happier if they had more friends. In other words, a whole lot of us could benefit from making more friends—and what better time to start than in a month devoted to love and friendship? Still, that prospect can be intimidating for various reasons:

The effort involved – Many people associate meeting people with planned events (meetups that require rsvp’s, nights out clubbing with friends, etc.). These types of social events often require some level of effort to pull off. Even if the scheduling involves just one friend, it takes some planning on top of an already busy life.

Social anxiety – A lot of people struggle with feelings of social anxiety and may only be able to picture meeting others in settings where alcohol is readily available. This perspective can be limiting, though, when you’re looking to form different connections in a variety of settings.

No luck with conventional avenues – Many people may have tried more conventional avenues for meeting others but without success. They may be tired of the late nights and the intoxicated conversations that never seem to move beyond the bar or dance floor. There are also the many people who no longer drink for health reasons like alcohol use disorder, and who may be looking for sober ways to meet people.

9 Offbeat and Easy Ways to Make New Friends

The good news is that making new friends may be easier than you think, starting with these 10 offbeat suggestions for how to do that:

Yard sales in the neighborhood – Many Americans say they don’t know their neighbors. Shopping for unexpected treasure among other people’s junk can be a fun conversation starter and a great way to make new friends in the ‘hood. What might begin as a shared taste in clothing or cutlery could develop into plans for coffee or a walk. Don’t underestimate the socializing power of a yard sale.

On the airplane – When is the last time you sat next to a stranger for an extended period? You both may be a captive audience, but why not strike up a conversation and see where it goes? Many people find they’re able to connect with one another in deeply personal ways—often precisely because of the anonymity—at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet. If you’re enjoying the conversation, exchange numbers.

At the grocery store – Whether you’re standing at the deli counter, inspecting produce,

or waiting in the checkout line, food is an easy conversation starter and common social denominator. Look for someone who isn’t preoccupied with their phone, then smile and comment on something in their cart that looks yummy.

The break room at work – Work is where much of our social life occurs, but even there it can be easy to grow complacent and not venture beyond existing friendships. If you work for a large or mid-sized employer, chances are there are coworkers you haven’t met. Make a point of lingering a few minutes longer near the coffeemaker or eating more lunches in the break room.

A coworking space – For those of us who work remotely, who don’t have a dedicated employer’s workspace and break room to go to, joining a coworking space can be a great way to meet new people. (This option may be more feasible and affordable depending on where you live.) In addition to the social opportunities that present themselves during a typical workday, many of these spaces offer other times to connect and interact outside of work hours (happy hours, guest speakers, book signings, Toastmaster meetings, etc.).

An exercise class or group – Whether it’s a cycling class, Master’s swim team, neighborhood running group, or other fitness offering, the options for meeting new people while doing a healthy activity that you enjoy are virtually endless. The key here is finding a group that is nearby (and easy enough to get to on a regular basis). You also need to genuinely enjoy the activity for it to be sustainable.

Volunteering – Take a quick inventory of your skills and the things that you enjoy doing or would like to learn how to do. Then explore related outlets for service. There may be many, from volunteering at a consignment store to building houses with Habitat for Humanity to playing the harp for hospice patients.

Religious or spiritual gathering – We are facing “an epidemic of loneliness,” a Harvard report found in 2021, noting, for example, that 63 percent of young adults are suffering from loneliness and related anxiety and depression. Consider visiting a church or other house of worship or get connected with a weekly meditation group, Bible study, or other offering.

The barber shop or hair or nail salon – In some communities, the barber shop is part social hub, part informal therapy group. It is where men go not just for a haircut but to share feelings, experiences, and advice.

Conversations can happen quite naturally at the salon as well. It might be with the stylist highlighting your hair or the stranger in the chair next to you as you wait for your nails to dry. Take advantage of these opportunities to start up a conversation and meet someone new.