This may be my lack of social skills speaking, but would you mind sharing a little more information on how this works in practice?
In general when I interact with service workers, we tend to be focused on the service at hand - there isn't very much spare time for making friends. And I can't help but feel they are being paid to be friendly. (I am not from the US, if this makes any difference)
Also, how much time would you say you spend with new friends? I find that between work, family, personal projects, and a stable of few but close friends, my time is pretty well spoken for. But the idea of having more friends is certainly a nice one.
I'm more than happy to answer, but it might sound sociopathic in isolation and without context. Also I used "service workers" as an example of people I interact with daily, but it can be anyone really and my point was more general.
Regarding my service worker friends specifically (usually they work at my local food places): if I go places more than once I'll ask how things are that day, if it was busy, if there's any time that is overly annoying, basic small talk stuff.
Maybe another day I'll ask their name, but I must have already asked a question on another day, so that a question like this doesn't come out of the blue.. it's a natural progression, and this is so that I can greet them by name next time I see them.
After I'm talking with names then I'll ask weird questions like if they had a favourite customer, maybe make a cheesy joke about it not being me because I'm annoying with questions.
Maybe later I'll ask if they have any family in the area, or something stupid about star signs. If their birth month is coming up I'll comment on it and make a mental note to bring it up later to figure out their birthday and get them some small gift.
Even later, if I have an event planned or something I'll invite them out- I always offer 2 or 3 different times/things before I stop offering, when/if they reject it can be a reason to ask more pointed questions about what they normally do as activity; the last time you offer you can suggest that they show you what they're interested in or something.
It helps that I genuinely care for the people I interact with, I really consider everyone a friend I haven't gotten to know yet.
I know it sounds formulaic, but it's not and I'm just recollecting.
As for hanging out, maybe once every 2 weeks? not sure, certainly not often. I have a girlfriend who is very demanding of my time.
And, for context, I live in Sweden, so- also not US. :)
This is awesome. For my part, I've generally set the goal on "Can I make them laugh?" A genuine belly laugh. In order to do so, you often have to build some camaraderie. You also have to be creative to discover what discursions may make them laugh. It's really been enjoyable for me, and hopefully others as well!
In general when I interact with service workers, we tend to be focused on the service at hand - there isn't very much spare time for making friends. And I can't help but feel they are being paid to be friendly. (I am not from the US, if this makes any difference)
Also, how much time would you say you spend with new friends? I find that between work, family, personal projects, and a stable of few but close friends, my time is pretty well spoken for. But the idea of having more friends is certainly a nice one.