How to be freindly

Have you ever been on the outside looking in? Or know someone who is/was?
Did you know that being friendly is more then just not being unfriendly?

Having moved 10 times, and relocated completely 6 times, I think I have some experience in how to be inclusive, and how it feels when people, not always on purpose, don't include you. So here are some tips;

Don't expect the new person to always approach you. Just because they are sitting somewhere else, or looking after the little kids, doesn't mean they don't wish they were talking with you. So introduce yourself.

Don't walk off when you are talking with them. Tell them where you are going, and invite them to come too, if possible. Otherwise you leave them with two distasteful options; to stay behind and be lonely, or follow you and feel like they are just tagging along where they are no really wanted.

If the come up to join your "huddle" when you are talking, step sideways and let them in. Otherwise they stand at the back of the circle until they give up and move off.

If they try and join your conversation, don't talk about something they don't know about! How can you expect them to enjoy a conversation about last year's camping trip, when they weren't on it? or you and your friend's violin lessons, when they can't play?

Cherry