By: Lindsay Hogg
Don’t be shy
When you lug yourself into your hostel, or if you are on a tour, introduce yourself to the people around you. You will be surprised at amount of others travelling alone. You are always going to come across the odd person that will shrug you off and not care to make friends. The majority of long term travellers are in the same boat as you and want to meet new people. We are all far from home and constantly moving from city to city where we know no one.
Beer!
After a long bus/train/flight in, I usually like to check out my surroundings and hit up the local pub for a beer. Not many travellers will turn down an ice cold pint. You are normally in a room with 5-12 people, which are good odds for finding someone to grab a beer with. It’s a good ice breaker. Even if no one will go with you when you get there, they will usually inform you if they are going out for drinks later and you can tag along then!
Find out what others are doing
Ask around your dorm or common areas to see what kind of tours or outing other travellers are doing. People like to talk about what they have seen, or what they are going to see. If something interests you, you can sign up for the same tour with that person or go exploring together.
Be friendly
People tend to be nervous and act differently when they don’t know anyone. Be yourself and be welcoming to anyone who strikes up a conversation with you, or wants to come with you on an outing. Even if they don’t seem like the type of person you would normally hang out with, thatdoesn ‘t mean you can’t spend a day with them. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover, the people you meet travelling you may stay in contact with for years to come.
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Good suggestions! I’ll add hang out in the common room at your hostel. That’s where many friendships are made. And don’t be afraid to make the first move!
Talk to the person BEHIND you in line
I discovered this nifty trick when waiting in yet another line at the Schiphol airport in Amsterdam.
In addition to the “be friendly” advice I have discovered it is much more effective to chat with the person BEHIND you while waiting in a line. The person behind you naturally faces forward…toward you. So, if you are the one turning around to speak to him/her, they remain in their normal front facing position which makes them comfortable because they can still see what is going on as the line progresses. Turning around to speak with the person BEHIND you usually gives you that person’s full attention…and, he/she can hardly turn away from you, because his/her normal position is to face forward. Although, if you are found to be a bore or obnoxious…they still can turn in some direction to rid themselves of your conversation…so this is not fool proof and be sensitive to their level of desired interaction.
In contrast, getting the attention of the person in FRONT of you can be initially an easy task, but that person is left in an unnatural position of facing backwards from the front of the line. He/she will sooner or later want to get reoriented again and face forward…often ending your delightful conversation far too soon for your liking.
So….just turn around, smile, introduce yourself and ask a basic question. You might just make a new friend.
My trick: always carry a smile and compliment people within the first few moments of seeing each other. Sounds corny but for guys & gals alike I’ve never failed to strike up a conversation!
Stephanie: Ah yes! The common room! And the kitchen too, bond over food. Everyone likes food!
Kari: That’s awesome advise! I will definitely chat up the person behind me in line. Maybe try not to talk about the weather to keep them interested…
Caron: That’s so sweet! The smile part is really true though, some people can look unapproachable if they have a stern face, and it’s not like they mean too (I’ve been told I don’t look very approachable, but I am super friendly!).
Good tips, suggestions and advices – as a network evangelist, I fully agree with you: connecting with other’s while travelling doubles the fun and makes it even more interesting to explore new places.
Talking about travelling: Any chance to see you at the Oslo Blog Gathering in Norway in August?
Btw: Thanks for the follow at Twitter – looking forward to follow you too!
Thanks Renny! I prob will not be able to make it in August, I will be in Asia at that time
thank you though! Sounds great.
I look forward to reading your tweets!
thanks for that