Making Friends / How to Meet New People / Lesson 25

LESSON 25 · HOW TO MEET NEW PEOPLE

Say Hello Daily to Three People

Eleven ways to say hello to three people a day and watch your social life change.

Hello is a muscle. The more you use it, the easier it gets.

33 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

Start with tip 1

Jump to the 7-day plan

33 tips that really help

These ideas come from Platonic (Marisa Franco), Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi), How to Talk to Anyone (Leil Lowndes), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

TIP 1

Why three works

Three small hellos a day is easy to do, and it adds up to over a thousand a year. Small daily habits build social ease faster than rare big efforts.

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Set a goal of three hellos a day.

TIP 2

Include everyone

Greet neighbours, shopkeepers, colleagues and strangers on your route. Every kind of hello counts and trains your confidence.

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List the places where you will greet people.

TIP 3

Make eye contact and smile

A short look and a warm smile make a hello feel real. It takes one second and says a lot.

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Practise the smile in the mirror.

TIP 4

Add a short comment sometimes

A hello plus a remark such as lovely morning turns a greeting into a mini chat. Keep it light and easy.

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Add a comment to one hello today.

TIP 5

Use names when you know them

A hello with a name, such as good morning, Priya, feels warmer and more personal. It takes one extra second.

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Greet one person by name.

TIP 6

Accept every kind of response

Some people will smile, some will nod and some will not notice. None of it is about your worth.

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Do not take silence personally.

TIP 7

Keep a tally

Counting hellos on your phone makes the habit fun and shows progress. Numbers make growth visible.

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Track each hello for a week.

TIP 8

Notice your mood

Many people feel happier after greeting others, because kindness feels good. Notice the lift to strengthen the habit.

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Write one word for how you feel at night.

TIP 9

Raise the goal gently

After a week, try five hellos a day. Build the habit slowly so it stays enjoyable.

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Add one hello each week.

TIP 10

Share the habit

Challenge a friend to try three hellos a day and compare your tallies. A shared habit is more fun and easier to keep.

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Message a friend to join you.

TIP 11

Make three a day the minimum

Three hellos is so small that you can do it even on a busy day. Small, certain habits beat big, uncertain ones.

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Set it as your daily floor.

TIP 12

Link it to a routine

Greet someone on your way out, at the shop and on your way home. Linking to routines makes it automatic.

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Choose three trigger points.

TIP 13

Greet people who do not expect it

The bus driver, the cleaner and the security guard are often unseen. A warm hello makes their day.

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Greet one unseen worker.

TIP 14

Add a question sometimes

How is your day going? turns a greeting into a chat. Ask only if you will listen.

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Ask one today.

TIP 15

Smile with your eyes

A real smile reaches the eyes and feels warm. Think of something kind.

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Practise in a mirror.

TIP 16

Remember names

Names make hellos personal. Write them down after meeting.

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Add one to your phone.

TIP 17

Notice your confidence grow

Each hello makes the next easier. Write how you feel after a week.

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Write one line.

TIP 18

Greet people at work

A friendly good morning to colleagues builds a warm culture. Do it with a smile.

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Greet five people.

TIP 19

Greet neighbours

A hello on the stairs or the street builds community. Do it daily.

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Greet two neighbours.

TIP 20

Greet strangers on walks

A nod or hello on a walk is easy and safe. Many return it.

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Greet three walkers.

TIP 21

Greet shop staff by name

Use name tags and make small talk. They will remember you.

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Say thank you with a name.

TIP 22

Say hello online too

A friendly comment on a post counts as a greeting. Keep it kind.

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Comment kindly once.

TIP 23

Greet people first at events

Be the one who says hello first. It makes you memorable.

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Do it at the next event.

TIP 24

Say hello in the lift

A quick hello in a lift breaks the silence. People appreciate the warmth.

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Try it once.

TIP 25

Say hello to the receptionist

They greet everyone. A friendly hello makes you stand out.

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Smile and greet.

TIP 26

Greet people on public transport

A nod to a regular fellow passenger builds a small connection. Keep it brief.

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Nod once.

TIP 27

Keep a tally

Counting hellos on your phone makes it fun. Seeing the numbers grow motivates.

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Start a tally.

TIP 28

Try a themed week

Greet only people in red or only people with dogs. A game makes it playful.

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Choose a theme.

TIP 29

Reflect weekly

Note which hellos led to chats. Learn what works.

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Write three lines.

TIP 30

Share the habit

Challenge a friend to do it with you. Compare tallies.

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Message one friend.

TIP 31

Be patient with yourself

Some days will be quieter. Keep going.

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Say it is fine.

TIP 32

Celebrate a month

After thirty days, enjoy a small treat. You earned it.

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Plan a reward.

TIP 33

Notice how others respond

Most people smile back. Keep a note of your best moments.

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Write one.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday friendships.

HELLO

“Good morning, how are you?”

SMILE

“Hi there.”

NOTICE

“That is a great jacket.”

THANKS

“Thank you, have a lovely day.”

ASK

“Did you see the game last night?”

CLOSE

“Take care.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Say hello to three people today

DAY 2
Add a short comment to one

DAY 3
Learn one name

DAY 4
Greet staff by name

DAY 5
Notice how people react

DAY 6
Keep a tally

DAY 7
Raise to five hellos

Further reading

• Platonic (Marisa Franco)
• Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi)
• How to Talk to Anyone (Leil Lowndes)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

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These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.