Are you looking for a lifelong best friend, someone who will be there for you through thick and thin? No doubt, it’s not easy to find someone who will be your best friend. Finding true friends who share your life’s journey with you is one of life’s greatest joys!
Being in a fun group of friends is great, but if you want something deeper, you have to ask someone to be your best friend. It can be awkward and nerve-wracking to ask someone to be your best friend, especially if you don’t know how they much you. Luckily, we have put together a guide on how to pop the best friend question without awkwardness.
Define What “Best Friend” Means To You
Before asking someone to be your best friend, it’s essential to understand what you mean by this relationship. The term “best friend” means something different to everyone, so it’s vital to have a clear understanding of what it means to you to help you communicate better with the person you want to ask.
A best friend is someone that you can trust, confide in, support, laugh, and share good and bad experiences with them. You need someone who understands you and accepts you just as you are, someone you can be yourself around.
Choose the Right Person
Who do you consider your potential best friend? It’s likely that you already have someone in mind, but are they a good fit? Consider the following when choosing someone to ask:
- Are they trustworthy?
- Do they share similar interests and values?
- Are they supportive?
- Do they make you feel good about yourself?
Get to Know Them Better
Before you ask someone to be your best friend, it’s a good idea to spend more time with them. Try to learn more about their personality, likes, dislikes, goals, and aspirations. You don’t have to become best friends overnight. Building a friendship takes time and effort, so be patient, and don’t rush into things.
Express Your Interest in a Friendship
Let them know you are interested in becoming friends. It’s perfectly okay to express your desire to become a friend without immediately asking to be best friends. Start by inviting them to hang out or engage in activities that you both enjoy. You can ask them to join you for lunch, coffee, or to work out at the gym.
Create Meaningful Conversations
Having deep and meaningful conversations with someone is an excellent way to strengthen a friendship. Talk about things that matter to you, like goals, values, hopes, and dreams. Ask about their experiences and listen actively without interrupting or judging. Good friendships are based on mutual respect and admiration.
Show Genuine Interest in Them
It’s essential to show an interest in the person you want to be friends with. Ask about their life, their hobbies, and their family. Be curious and show genuine interest. When they talk, listen attentively and respond thoughtfully. When you show a keen interest in someone, it’s a great way to develop a friendship further.
Share Personal Stories
Sharing personal stories can help to build a deeper connection with someone. Tell them about your childhood, your family, and your life journey. Share your hopes, struggles, and victories. It’s essential to be open and authentic. When you share personal stories with someone, it can bring you closer together.
Show Empathy
Being empathetic involves understanding and being sensitive to the feelings of others. Show empathy by being supportive, understanding, and non-judgmental. When your potential best friend is going through a tough time, make sure to be there for them. Listen attentively and show that you care by your actions and words.
Be Yourself
This is perhaps the most crucial tip for building friendships. It’s essential to be yourself when trying to make new friends. Your potential best friend should like you for you, so avoid pretending to be someone that you’re not. Be honest, authentic and genuine, and everything else will follow.
Pop the Question
After getting to know someone better, you may feel ready to take the next step and ask them to be your best friend. Remember that there is no “right” way to ask someone to be your best friend. You can be straightforward and say, “Hey, I really enjoy hanging out with you and was wondering if you’d like to be my best friend.” Or you can ask them in a more lighthearted way, like “Will you be my life-long partner in crime?”
Remember these tips when you pop the question:
- Be confident.
- Be lighthearted and friendly.
- Avoid being too pushy.
- Don’t take it too personally if they say no.
Final Thoughts
Asking someone to be your best friend isn’t easy, but it can be a rewarding experience. Remember, genuine friendship takes time and effort, so make sure to take things slow and let the friendship develop naturally. Creating meaningful connections with others is one of the most fulfilling parts of life, so don’t be afraid to go the extra mile to find someone special.
Common Questions About Asking Someone to Be Your Best Friend
What if they say no?
Rejection stings, no matter what, so it’s okay to feel disappointed. If they say no, it doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t want to be your friend at all. It could be they need more time or are uncomfortable with the “best friend” label. Don’t take it personally, and don’t let it stop you from continuing to spend time with them.
Can I have more than one best friend?
Of course! The term “best friend” doesn’t have to be restricted to only one person. You can have multiple best friends, and they can all bring different things to your life. Some people even have a different best friend for different areas of their life, like a work best friend versus a hobby best friend.
What if I don’t know if I want to be “best friends”?
It’s okay if you’re not sure if you want to be best friends right away. Take time to get to know the person and see if the relationship feels meaningful and fulfilling for you. If it does, then you can always bring up the idea of being best friends down the road. If it doesn’t feel right, then that’s okay too. Friendships take time, and it’s better not to rush things.
References
- Friendship Development Theory. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2021, from https://www.verywellmind.com/friendship-development-theory-4167120
- Leonard, J. (2019, October 15). How to ask someone to be your new best friend. Retrieved April 9, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/15/smarter-living/how-to-make-friends.html
- McCarthy, D. (n.d.). 11 Tips for Asking Someone to Be Your Friend. Retrieved April 9, 2021, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/tips-for-asking-someone-to-be-your-friend.aspx