Most people have more acquaintances than friends in London and sometimes we might want to develop the relationships further and turn those acquaintances into something more. Taking that step can be difficult but there are a few things you can do to help develop a friendship with people you already know.

Regular contact

The key to building a friendship is doing so step by step. Regular exchanges, no matter how brief, with the person youre looking to get to know will help the relationship grow over time. Thanks to the internet, there are many ways this can happen now. You dont have to be face to face with the person to show you care. Sending an email or using an instant messaging programme will work just as well.

If the acquaintance is someone you usually see as part of a group, try and meet up with them on their own. At work, people are usually busy and have too much on their minds for a proper conversation and if you usually see the person with a group of other friends, the others present could be a distraction. Meeting up for a quick cup of coffee or going to see a movie youre both interested in are great ways of breaking the ice.

Taking an interest

One of the main differences between acquaintances and friends in London is how well you know them. This means that, in order to build the friendship, its a good idea to try and find out more about what the person is like, as well as information about their background and interests. Not only will this show that youre interested but it will also help you decide further whether you could potentially be friends or not. Try not to get too personal too quickly but simply show a genuine interest in how theyre doing.

Making a gesture

Making a gesture or going out of your way to help someone can do a lot to build a friendship. If you are there for your acquaintance when they might need help, this will raise the trust levels in the relationship. Perhaps theyre working on a project you could assist them with or, if you cant offer anything yourself, maybe you know someone who can. If theyre moving house, offer to help; if they need a babysitter and you have a free evening, theres an opportunity to show your generous side. Even if they dont take you up on the offer, youve made it and theyll know that. While no one expects you to drop everything for them, just showing that youre a considerate person and have recognised that they might need assistance can make all the difference.

The possibility of a new friend in London can be exciting but it is important not to be pushy. You can show that youre interested and willing to help without being overbearing. Doing so will probably push them away. However, with the right balance and a bit of time, you could find yourself with a great long-lasting friendship.