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Breaking The Ice

Sometimes breaking the ice can be the hardest step to forming a relationship, even a friendship. For the most shy individuals, talking to people you have never met before is almost scary. Fortunately, though, there are a number of excellent places to get started.

A good idea to start with is to attend anime conventions, if you think you can handle it. If you dress in a popular or well-received cosplay, many attendees might introduce themselves to you and you won't need to break the ice at all. You should pay close attention to how they 'break the ice', although remembering that you won't usually greet a new friend with a flying hug tackle.

Generally, you just have to realize that you are around other people a lot like yourself. Imagine how you might want to be greeted. How would you not want to be approached? Generally the easiest way to strike up a conversation is to say something in character based on your cosplay. Usually this is a great way to move onto actual conversation. Also pay attention to people who simply don't want to be bothered, and leave them alone.

Don't assume that every person you meet is going to want to talk to you. They could be having a bad day. They could think you smell. They could be on the last level of Kingdom Hearts on their DS and you're bothering them. Other people have zero obligation to pay attention to you. This is all the more incentive for you to work on yourself, and to work on being considerate of other people.