A different way to find new friends
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31365)
Denmark
February 17, 2013 2:28am CST
I read about a school in my country that has arranged a new kind of introduction. When they start the students don't know eachother so the school has borrowed the concept from speed dating and arranged a situation where the students have to meet eachother and talk to everyone for a short time. It is similar to speed dating where some people stay at the same table and the other people move around from table to table in order to meet everyone. The arrangement at the school is about friendship and not about dating, but the idea is the same and the students are asked to write down the names of the people that they would like to become friends with or at least talk to again.
What do think about the idea? Do you think that it is a good way to find new friends? Or do think that it would be better to let the students find new friends on their own? Why? Which other kinds of arrangements have you tried as a new student?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@chiyosan (30186)
• Philippines
18 Feb 13
It is okay to have such programs, Schools nowadays should be able to find wayys to improve how they are able to teach children. I think with this they are also trying to let the children in the school feel that they should enjoy socializing with people in their place not on the internet but within the school. Often probably kids just do not find this necessary but many training programs sure have such introduction "game" in place so as to meet everyone and not only those who seemed to be in their comfort zone.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
19 Feb 13
Yes, it is a way to learn to socialize with everyone including people who aren't in their comfort zone. I think that many people tend to stick to the people they already know because it is easier and more comfortable that way and it sounds like a good idea to encourage the students to meet many different types of people. Sometimes you get surpriced and discover that you get along really well with people that you didn't expect to become friends with, and if you don't step out of your comfort zone you might never discover that.
@cmania (207)
• Portugal
17 Feb 13
Friendship shouldn't be 'forced i think everyone has the right to chose their friends. I'm a student and I entered in a completely new class, i defenitly wouldn't like to have those speed datings...more fast the date less time friendship will stay
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
19 Feb 13
I already commented on your response, but my comment seem to have disappeared 
so I try again. I think that it is true that friendship can't be forced, and the idea behind the this kind of event ("speed friendship") is quite unusual. One the other hand I also think that it would be interesting to talk to everyone for a short time, and we might discover that we have some things in common and we might get inspired to continue the conversation later on. It would seem a little strange to talk to everyone for a short time instead of finding friends on our own like we do in other situations, but I would be willing to give it a try. I don't know anyone who has tried it, but it could be interesting to hear what kind of experience they had.
so I try again. I think that it is true that friendship can't be forced, and the idea behind the this kind of event ("speed friendship") is quite unusual. One the other hand I also think that it would be interesting to talk to everyone for a short time, and we might discover that we have some things in common and we might get inspired to continue the conversation later on. It would seem a little strange to talk to everyone for a short time instead of finding friends on our own like we do in other situations, but I would be willing to give it a try. I don't know anyone who has tried it, but it could be interesting to hear what kind of experience they had.
@joliefille (3690)
• Philippines
18 Feb 13
I think it's a good idea only if not done many times. There are also other avenues of making friends. It's best also to let them explore and go out in the world or travel to find new friends.
1 person likes this
@kourdapya (923)
• Philippines
19 Feb 13
That's not a bad idea, but I guess the school should focus more on the academic, because the students will eventually learn to be friends with each other anyway, so why allot time for it. Just use the time and the resources of the school to the more important reasons why the students are there in the first place. Just my point of view. Have a nice day!
1 person likes this
