[wkirby]

I made my first new friend in years simply by… asking. Struck up a conversation with a guy in line for coffee, on my way out of the cafe went up, gave him my number, said I was looking to make new friends.

The world is more like the playground than you might think. Just ask if someone wants to be friends. They probably do.

[yosito]

I'm 37. Any time I strike up a conversation with someone new who seems like an interesting person, I end the conversation by asking to exchange contacts. In the context I live in, that usually means scanning a WhatsApp QR code, or asking for an Instagram or Telegram ID. Then I invite them to the next suitable thing I want to do. I make 3-5 new friends a week this way. Of course, not all of them become close, reliable friends, but I'm never alone, and the ones I click most with become closer friends over time.

[wkirby]

I’m 36 and my new daughter (8 months) has helped me come out of my shell. It’s given me something to connect with other people about.

[mettamage]

That's wise. I see the playground you're talking about.

This comment will help me. I used to talk to people in line, despite being a bit shy and sometimes socially anxious.

My shyness and anxiety can take a hike. I feel upset enough to block them out.

[pavel_lishin]

One thing that can help people do this is to realize that not everyone will actually become a friend. I've done similar things - only to later realize that, nah, we don't really click. And then we drift apart, and never see each other again.

And that's fine! But the friends I have made and kept have been worth it.