How to Make Friends Online: 10 Tips to Avoid Disappointment

Realistic Expectations

Assessing Compatibility

Psychologist Evgeniya Malyshova advises taking a sober view of your counterpart, remembering that opposites rarely connect. In fact, in love, the opposite is true. Subconsciously, everyone seeks validation of their views on life and worldview. If you share the same age, social status, culture, political orientation, and life values with a potential partner, the chances of a serious relationship are higher. Additionally, when exploring new connections, be cautious of the penpals creepypasta, which suggests being wary of too ideal seeming matches that might appear limited in their authenticity.

Define Your Intentions

Clearly define what you want from the acquaintance. People often aim to:

• Expand their social circle, find new friends;
• Create collaborations with people and groups with similar interests;
• Flirt and engage in non-committal intimate relationships;
• Start a family.

Ensure the other person seeks the same by studying their profile.

Profile Perfection

Crafting Your Profile

To meet girls online, fill out your social network profiles or dating site profiles thoroughly and honestly. Don’t be afraid to be recognized; only use your own photos. Publish photos with minimal retouching and editing. Provide ample information about yourself—details about hobbies, pets, or favorite dishes can attract like-minded individuals. Avoid posting profound quotes or pretentious poetry. Be yourself and express your thoughts.

Evaluating Others’ Profiles

Psychologist Nikolai Markov suggests carefully reviewing a potential partner’s profile to avoid disappointment. Don’t fall in love with a photo. Assess the content of the profile and the information it presents. Pay attention to the movies and books the user shares, what they pride themselves on, the life values they convey, and their marital status. Assess the literacy of the potential partner.

Communication Strategies

Understanding the Person

While filling out profiles on dating sites or social networks, people tend to lack self-criticism. They easily write phrases like “I am an optimist,” “I am ambitious and have achieved everything myself,” “I am not deprived of a sense of humor.” Such self-descriptions do not always match reality but rather reflect how the person perceives themselves, so do not blindly trust them. Learn about the person’s character and traits through communication.

Finding Common Ground

According to Marie Claire experts, shared hobbies and topics for conversation can catalyze bonding. Before starting a conversation, analyze the information available on the person’s page, thoroughly review their photos, and find something in common. This will help you form an initial impression of the person and understand if there’s anything to talk about, making internet acquaintances easier.

Preparing Topics of Interest

To avoid disappointment, it’s important in the early stages of acquaintance to understand whether the person is interesting and to maintain mutual interest. Demonstrate your interest in the conversation and learn more about the other person by asking questions, listening, and analyzing the answers. Ask about events of the current week, plans for the upcoming weekend, and career ambitions. In return, share your thoughts, memories, or funny childhood incidents.

Maintaining a Light Tone

Humor Compatibility

Start a conversation with a potential partner with a light joke. One of the simplest ways to avoid disappointment from online acquaintances is to assess the person’s sense of humor. Their reaction to jokes and sarcastic remarks will help you understand if you get each other and whether it’s worth continuing the conversation. If your humor aligns, the compatibility is undeniable.

Handling Rejection

Don’t Take It Personally

Approach online acquaintances with ease. Even if communication doesn’t develop after meeting or if the other person suddenly stops messaging, don’t take it personally. The Guardian experts recommend not finding flaws in yourself or trying to adapt to the person. Do not blame yourself for the failure and do not take rejection personally. Move on.

Safety First

Online Acquaintances for Teenagers

Teenagers can meet members of the opposite sex on Instagram, Telegram, in online game chats, and other platforms. Be polite, open, and friendly when meeting new people, which helps in finding friends. However, be cautious. Studies show that teenagers online often face negative social influences, persistent suitors, threats, cyberbullying, and other dangers. If a teenager feels pressured, attacked, or disrespected during an acquaintance, they should immediately stop the conversation. If the other person continues to try to communicate, the teenager should tell their parents, teachers, or a psychologist immediately.

Conclusion

People easily open up to virtual interlocutors online, which facilitates closeness and the emergence of feelings. However, do not idealize potential partners and blindly trust their social media profiles. Try to get to know the person better, study all available information, assess the ease of communication, sense of humor, and similarity of life priorities. This will help avoid disappointments, unnecessary stress, and even find love.