Friends

[Dave and Helena 0]

My husband is one of those disgusting people whom everyone LOVES. He makes friends so easily it's amazing and he's got more friends than anyone I know. (Mind you the man still insists he's shy )

He's a firm believer in Dale Carnegie and especially the book "How to Win Friends and Influence People". Some of the ground rules in the book are:

1. Become genuinely interested in other people.

2. Smile.

3. Remember that a man's Name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in any language.

4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.

5. Talk in the terms of the other man's interest.

6. Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely

In other words, get people to talk about themselves and they will remember you as a very interesting and nice person.

Now... as other have pointed out. When my husband and I meet other people I feel like they talk to him, not me. Even "my" friends. It is very frustrating. I guess even though my English is pretty decent I sometimes find it hard to follow the discussion, especially when we're in a loud place, hence the feeling of being "left out".

Your pain will disappear if you go around repeating to yourself "I hate people, animals, and things... I hate people, animals, and things..."

Edited July 17, 2009 by Dave and Helena