You probably don't often think about how you make friends. You either do or you don't. However,giving it a little thought could make you the most Mr/Mrs Popular! Here are a few tips to help you win friends and influence people:

• Break out of your comfort zone and speak to people you wouldn't normally speak to

• Read their body language – it tells you a lot about someone

• Never test or contradict their ideas – you do not know these people and do not know how they will react

• Make sure your body language is open. Approach with a smile, smiling is infectious if the other person has a stern look on their face, the moment you approach them with a smile you will gradually notice that they will smile too. This usually sets it up for a good conversation because both people are in good moods.

• Ask quality questions; find out what is important to the person, goals, beliefs, interests, etc

• Try to listen at least twice as much as you talk

• Don't interrupt

• Don't finish people's sentences

• Don't offer advice too soon

• Be encouraging

• Be appreciative and give compliments