Here’s how you can make friends online and BFFs in real life

While both communicating online and offline have their own merits, there’s still something about the warmth of face-to-face meetings that can’t be replaced. Despite the ubiquity of using online communication, it is still important to build and nurture relationships through personal contact.

Add a friend to your list and to your life

Social media networks have become an alternative space for people to meet, in place of the public spaces that people physically visit. When there’s an acquaintance or a complete stranger (if you’re brave) you hope to get to know better, starting an online connection to introduce yourself can be an easy way to start. Chat up mutuals in your online kpop fan group or say hello to a friend of a friend you met briefly at a party. But don’t let it stop there! Introduce yourself in person. The little things like your voice, your gestures, laugh, touch, and reactions are bigger indicators of the kind of person you are and these things are less discernible online. Invite them for a bottle of San Mig Light at your favorite bar and watch this become the start of a beautiful.

Open invitations

For birthdays, Halloween parties, Christmas parties, or simple get-togethers, who gives out physical invitations anymore? The virtual invite has become the norm because of busy schedules, traffic, time-consuming mail, and even less paper consumption. Many even include teaser videos to get everyone excited. When getting an invite, make sure to reply and really show up if you say you are attending. If not, drop a line and maybe set a date to catch up or make up for the missed chance to get to see them.

Give virtual invitations as much weight as you would a hand-delivered invite printed on special paper. Make a connection and meet face to face. You will both enjoy that event more when you are in each other’s company and a couple of San Miguel Super Dry.

Pop-up in person

A spontaneous get-together is always a good thing. Instant messaging and chat apps have made these so much easier and quicker. You can send a photo, a meme, or even a song, aside from your usual conversing. If you’re feeling a little down, drop a message and meet up with your bestie for a drink. Seeing each other in person brings things like a sense of trust, eye contact, body language, and offering of time and effort that cannot be supplied by online interaction. Turn your online Musta into a warm hug and a long talk and you’ll find that your day is infinitely better.

Online connections can help you create relationships with people you may never have become close with or even met. However, face-to-face interaction can create a stronger impression, especially because you become attached to an actual person instead of just staring and talking to an avatar. So when you step out the door for some San Miguel Beer with friends, put your phone on silent and get ready for some bonding time.