Secrets To Popularity and Friendship

For Sociability

To be popular, socially interact with everyone. First, greet people enthusiastically. When you are in the halls at school, say hello and address classmates by name. With confidence, use eye contact, a smile, and an upbeat voice.

Everyone counts when it comes to saying hello. Strike up a conversation with acquaintances you do not usually talk to during lunch or in gym class. Peers describe popular students as friendly, social, outgoing, enthusiastic, helpful, cooperative, accepting, good-natured, good sports, supportive, and sympathetic.¹

2. Get social exposure.

Be social with as many people as possible. This means be there. Be the partygoer, attending and throwing parties. Participate in extra-curricular activities, talk to acquaintances and friends after school, and visit other tables occasionally at lunch.

More people will get to know you well. If they have never met you previously, they will know who you are by your name and face. You will also project an image that you are outgoing and like to get involved.

You will make new friends. It is necessary for you to have contact, or share proximity, with those people with whom you would like to become your friends.² This gives them the chance to interact with you, and get to know the real you. You may become friendly with people from class from being around them. You can join activities to make others. For example, joining the dance team, the cheer leading squad, the football team, or the baseball team may give you eventful social exposure to classmates you may want as friends.

Wouldn’t it be impressive if you could make everyone comfortable in your presence no matter how popular you are? Many people will like you for your easygoing manner. To help you be receptive, uncover valuable qualities that each individual has to offer. Focus on his or her good points. Ultimately, you will you will become friendly with those you may not have initially.

Show your interest in an acquaintance by making casual conversation and giving a compliment. Be inviting to those you may not have, or to those who do not expect it. Even if they do not accept this invitation, it will make them feel good that you wanted to include them.

With this attitude, you will gain friends. Sometimes you may want to think of popularity as a numbers game. Popular students have many friends. With your social skills, you will win over others one by one. It may seem that high school is filled with cliquish attitudes.³ Yet you will be better liked for an attitude of mutual respect, tolerance, and approval of others for both their similarities and their differences. Moreover, you will make school a better place to be.

Compatible with being receptive, a feeling of equality characterizes the nature of friendship as teens. "Friendship is a dynamic, reciprocal relationship between two individuals."⁴ In the teen years, friends feel equal to each other.⁵

4. Be enthusiastic.

If you can be enthusiastic, you shine like a bright star. Often smiling and laughing, your attitude is electric. You lift others to your level. Your upbeat manner gives your pals their daily dose of energy.

Your enthusiasm motivates you to action. You are the first to get involved. With smooth style and effort, you round the extracurricular circuit of student organizations, school events, and sports teams. You want to do and then do more. Then you get the whole gang to come along for the wild ride.

When you talk to acquaintances, be an extrovert. At an appropriate time, you can talk to anyone who looks familiar or step up to introduce yourself to a new face. After you rap with the guy a few times, why not strike up some plans to play a few rounds of tennis? As you radiate with social confidence, you will expand your social horizons to make new pals.

For some people, being outgoing comes naturally. For others, being outgoing takes a little boldness. You do not have to send in a stunt double to do this trick. You can do it yourself. Become outgoing gradually if it does not come naturally to you. Talk to someone new once a day until you feel comfortable. The politeness of strangers or acquaintances may help you develop your skill. You will amaze yourself to discover how easy it becomes with practice. You will have newfound freedom to talk anyone in the "land of the free and the home of the brave."

When you have a pleasant disposition, you will attract others. Act carefree, not often worried, distracted, or angry. If you worry and complain frequently, you will lose social points. Others will not be as happy in your company. So be upbeat, and go with the flow.

A friend is great entertainment. A friend plays games and sports, jokes around, and shares favorite pastimes and interests. A friend is natural, comfortable, and easygoing when you do activities together. So let loose: grab your roller blades, pump up the CD volume, and swing your tennis racket. It is time for action. Your companionship is an important part of your friendship.⁶