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A purely Red Devil advice column to address your most pressing questions by Nadia Burt designed by Nadia Burt graphics by Mara Severts
How do you approach someone you want to be friends with? Sometimes it can seem as if making friends is harder than talking to your crush! However, don’t stress because there are several ways you can approach someone you want to be friends with and start making those connections. If you have a certain person in mind that you want to be friends with, then the first thing to do is to open up a conversation with them. For example, you probably know this person from a class or club, so when you see them, the first step is to casually say hello. When I walk into a class, I will usually say hi to the people sitting around me to start a conversation that breaks up any awkwardness or tired energy in the room. If you start a routine of engaging in a bit of conversation each day, a friendship naturally tends to form. If you are someone who is a little shy, I recommend that you try to talk to other people in your class as well! For example, when walking into a class don’t just say hi to this prospective friend. Rather, say hello to people all around the room so that it doesn’t feel like this prospective friend is being singled out. Another thing to do is to try and find commonalities that can spark topics of conversation. I know that we all tend to revert back to the same few topics when we are talking to someone that we don’t really know, such as “that test was so hard,” or “I’m so cold, aren’t you?”. Avoiding these topics and dead end conversations is essential, so focus more on similarities and remember to be genuine as people can sense when you are not being true to yourself. It can be intimidating trying to approach someone you want to be friends with - the biggest thing to keep in mind however, is that everyone has room for a new friend. Do your best to be authentic, invite them to hang out, send them random Tiktoks, anything that helps to make them less of a stranger and more of a friend! If the person
He left me on read, what should I do? In situations like these, I always revert back to my favorite phrase: we don’t chase, we attract. If he left you on read then that is his loss and your gain, because you have just avoided a poor communicator and he has lost someone who knows their worth. Now, if him leaving you on read is particularly hurtful, you can still hit back with the trusty trio of report, unadd, and block. It is 2022 and we are heading into summer - it’s time to stand tall and attract good people into our lives, rather than chasing mediocrity.
This advice column is simply how I chose to answer the question - if you or someone you know needs guidance on other issues, reach out to your social worker. If you are unsure who your social worke information online at the Hinsdale Central Social Work page or through the guidance office. 16 | Perspectives
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