This may seem a bit odd to you and I want your opinion on it.

Today I was on my way through Hillsborough park to the social club for a spot of tennis. On my way past the all sport courts I noticed a chinese lad playing basketball on his own, as I walked past he said a friendly hello to me. This threw me back a bit as I wasn't expecting it but I said hello back and then asked him if he was by himself and if he wanted a game.

After the game we actually got each others names and then had a chat for 15 mins about what we do etc. I looked at my watch and realised I had to go to the club, we shook hands and I left. I had a thought after, would it have been strange to swap contact details to meet up and play b'ball every few weeks as he's at Manchester uni'. When I told my friends they seemed like I had gone mad doing that, although they're not as outgoing as I am!

Is it just me or would anyone else in a similar situation (not the basketball in particular, but you know) do the same or am I mad just going up to strangers and (nearly) make a friend out of it?

What do you think o people of the forum?

Originally posted by duffman

What do you think o people of the forum?

If we didn't make friends of strangers...none of us would have any friends!

I see no wrong in making friends. If we all walked about and ignored everyone the world would be a much worse place, a smile is often the first move towards making friends. Good for you Duffman.

It just got me that my friends were in shock that I would do such a thing. Surely I thought that it's the only way you meet people. This forum is a prime example of making friends from strangers, just by sharing a common interest.

So it's not just me then:rolleyes:

Nah mate it's not just you... I have trouble making friends as well :D

But apart from *cough* certain Ecclesall natives, I consider most people on here to be me mates :)

I made a friend the other day at the gym! Now I have a gym buddy. We've swapped mobile numbers so we can let each other know when we'll be there... Its useful as I now have someone to talk to, instead of being on my own! :)

Well as a Uni student, i've made many friends of strangers (be a lonely sod if i didn't ;) ).

I've also met up with people from another forum that I post on; more strangers have become friends :)

I aint particularly outgoing either, I just seem to get in these situations and just deal with them.

Originally posted by Rich
Nah mate it's not just you... I have trouble making friends as well :D

But apart from *cough* certain Ecclesall natives, I consider most people on here to be me mates :)

I questioned my friend on how he would find a girlfriend if he just stuck with people he already knew. He didn't really answer that:rolleyes:

I made a friend the other day at the gym! Now I have a gym buddy. We've swapped mobile numbers so we can let each other know when we'll be there... Its useful as I now have someone to talk to, instead of being on my own!

I wish now I did swap numbers, i'm going to talk to complete strangers at work (i'm in the best place for it) and hopefully not get any complaints. Lets see how many talk back to me:P

alot of my friends are made like that, best way in my opinion!

i make 'random' friends all the time especially on nights out! so i don't think it unusual at all

actually;

while i was in germany (i lived there for 3 years) i went to a cool clothes shop and befriended one of the staff there - a german lad - anyhow, i'm an untypical bloke in choosing clothes in that i spend hours trying stuff on and not necessairly buying it (iv'e been known to spend the whole day at brother 2 brother in town and come out with nothing!) - i was in this relatively small shop and this lad was cool, was friendly and having only just arrived in the city (Stuttgart) i took time to get to know him and asked him where the decent bars and clubs were. Anyhow, i had an inkling that this guy was gay but i wasn't fussed. (i'm straight by the way) I got to know him and went out that night with him and his 3 gay friends! he took me to a gay bar gay bar (ha) where i met my model german ex girlfriend - so making friends with strangers is a good thing. of course! :thumbsup:

i actually still e-mail with him now nearly 10 years later!

Hello hello hello hello hello hello

ur actions are everything i stand against. i much prefer to stay at home adn not talk to anyone or go out than making friends wiht people

Originally posted by Carolina
I am Spanish myself and found out when I arrived to this country that it is quite difficult making friends with English people, cos they stick together with friends in pubs, etc. and are not as open as other nationalities. Please, be more sociable!!!!

Hi

i love the spanish people. I admire the way you are more open than us brits (although our generation is hopefully slowley changing that!)

You can be my friend (online and not)

Originally posted by duffman
but you know) do the same or am I mad just going up to strangers and (nearly) make a friend out of it?

I think you should of done - thats how I've made most of my mates. I use to go in my local alone when I moved to a new area and saw another girl alone, so I went up and said we both look sad fancy some company? we laughed and now I have a really good mate.
Its like that with the group of mates I have - it just keeps getting bigger a when we talk to people we grab a number and get them out next time.
You go for it and good luck! But do be careful as not all people are as friendly as us!

I'm too shy to take that sort of approach, so I tend to stay with the small circle of friends with whom I've grown up with etc. Although, since registering on here I have met some really nice people who I consider friends.

random mates are cool - i chat to random people on the tram n stuff - its really usuful knowing people outside your usual circle of mates, can get you far in life. about half my mates are people i randomly spoken to at places i have been. does ne1 else find people walkin up to you and chattin to people wrong?i dont i think its cool and wish more people did it, would make the world a more friendly place as generaly most people are friendly if you take the time to speak to them.

Sorry ranted on there - DAVE

Originally posted by Carolina
I am Spanish myself and found out when I arrived to this country that it is quite difficult making friends with English people, cos they stick together with friends in pubs, etc. and are not as open as other nationalities. Please, be more sociable!!!!
It's not much different with being Austrian. I find it extremely difficult to make friends. Or maybe it's all over at my age (29) and I might as well just resign myself to being alone FOREVER!!!

-Armin

Hmm, name of Armin...from Austria...I assume your surname is "Hartinger" and you know Kelly Dorset?

There can't be that many Austrian Armins in Sheffield, can there?

Originally posted by Carmine
Hmm, name of Armin...from Austria...I assume your surname is "Hartinger" and you know Kelly Dorset?

There can't be that many Austrian Armins in Sheffield, can there?
Yeah, that's me ... Kelly's actually been a good mate, having introduced me to some people.

-Armin

I find that offering sweets or a promise to see some fictitious puppys usually works when making friends

Originally posted by armin
Yeah, that's me ... Kelly's actually been a good mate, having introduced me to some people.

-Armin

Mr Dorset is an all-round good egg, for sure.

I make friends via cyberculture etc....
I count you guys on here and D.S mates; those of you on my MSN list as friends, yes - D.S is mrore formal though. Have quite a lot of D.S's on MSN too.

Originally posted by Dick Dastardly
I'm too shy to take that sort of approach, so I tend to stay with the small circle of friends with whom I've grown up with etc. Although, since registering on here I have met some really nice people who I consider friends.
what about me ?

I recently sat in front of 10 strangers and informed them about my past, I now have 10 new friends and we all have something in common.

I talk to all sorts of people and it's true most people are usually quite happy to pass the time of day with you. Obviously having Max is always a conveersation starter although some people seem to direct all their comments at him and I'm lucky if I get a 'hello'.
Strangest conversation I've had recently was with a little old man outside Tesco. He started the conversation with
'I'm 87 and my wife died last week'
You'll be pleased to hear I did manage to respond and we chatted for twenty minutes or so, I've seen him another couple of times since then and we've always had a little natter.

Originally posted by Andy
If we didn't make friends of strangers...none of us would have any friends!

Says it all Andy! :thumbsup:

....and Duffman - would that we all had your attitude. Great story, which cheered me up no end to know that there are such friendly folk about like you! :clap:

You'll have made this guys day Duffman. Wouldn't worry about not having his phone number - he'll never forgot the impromtu basketball game with the friendly guy in Sheffield.

Loved this story - made me happy on a glum Monday. Ta.