It’s pretty easy to make new friends when you’re a kid. Once you get up the courage to go talk to a buddy in class, the next thing you know, you’re sharing snacks during recess. But as we become adults, it get a little tougher for some. Your social circles don’t expand quickly and often, your co-workers become your inner circle.
But a new study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships took this topic one step further and found out precisely how many hours it takes an adult person to make a new friend. For the study, friendship status was examined as a function of hours together, shared activities, and everyday talk.
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According to PureWow, which got their hands on the study:
…it takes about 50 hours of time together to go from being acquaintances to casual friends, and approximately 90 hours before you feel comfortable upgrading them to “friend” status. Finally, it takes more than 200 hours before considering someone a close friend or best friend.
The study found that there is a strong correlation between friendship and time spent together, but not when it comes to work. Your officemate may never be your BFF, regardless of whether or not you can hear every single one of their phone conversations.
The average American adult hasn’t made a new friend in five years. Five years! So, if you’re wondering how to make friends, you’re not alone.
Here are 9 places where you can meet new people and make new friends:
- Volunteer in your community.
- Join a local gym or sports league.
- Visit a neighborhood coffee shop or juice bar regularly.
- Join a professional networking group.
- Become a donor or support your community arts, zoo or museum organizations.
- Go to church or join a spiritual study group.
- Take your dog to the dog park.
- Visit neighborhood food, art and music festivals.
- Take a class or learn a new skill through a community college or learning center
Best of luck in finding new friends!
