* Accept everyone for who they are and never bring anyone down or try to change someone (especially if they’ve done nothing to hurt or offend you). This communicates insecurity. If you don’t get along with someone, try avoidance instead of creating a rivalry.
* Always trust your gut feelings about people. If you feel someone (as nice as they may seem) is not the right person to make friends with, then move along.
* Don’t be clingy or annoying. Over-obsessing over someone makes you seem weird and strange, not friendly.
* You never want to seem desperate. Don’t chide acquaintances for failing to invite you to a party, for example; don’t call someone over and over or stop by uninvited; and never overstay your welcome anywhere. In general, take friendship slowly, and don’t try to become close to somebody right away. The move from acquaintance to friend can take a long time, and if you appear too clingy, potential friends may think you’re too much work.
* Keep the lines of communication open. Lasting friendships don’t just happen. They require work, especially if one friend moves away for an extended period or for good. Even if you don’t get to see a friend, you should try to call or email him or her regularly just to check in and say “hi.” With any luck, they’ll do the same. It’s easy to lose friends to distance, but it isn’t necessary.
* It’s easier to be yourself than to be someone who you are not because the only reason true friends want to be friends with you is because of your personality. But if you decide to act a certain way around people, nobody will know who you really are.
Remember, never leave old friends because you like someone else more. This is a big, bad mistake. It’s great to have different groups of friends, but if you abandon one group for another, you may soon find yourself without any friends at all.