A real friendly person actually cares about others and wants to make them feel comfortable. A real friendly person is concerned when others are upset and uplifted when others are happy; a real friendly person doesn't talk to people just to look cooler or to have more Facebook friends.
My biggest tip for staying friendly without committing to a friendship is this: Never say things you don't mean such as, “We should have lunch.” Keep your intentions in mind and you two should be able to continue operating in concentric social circles.
“Toxic friendships happen when one person is being emotionally harmed or used by another, making the relationship more of a burden than support,” says Suzanne Degges-White, author of Toxic Friendships. A bad friendship can increase your blood pressure, lower your immunity, and affect your mental health.
Simple actions like smiling at others and using good eye contact are great places to start. Once someone seems open to starting a conversation, utilizing icebreakers to introduce yourself and move the conversation forward can keep the momentum going.
Common reasons why it is hard making friends are social anxiety, introversion, trust issues, lack of opportunity, and relocation. As we grow older, people are busy with work, family, or children.
Friendliness is an important communication skill and helps others receive your message more readily. An example of practicing friendliness in the workplace is including personalized messages, such as wishing someone a good evening, when communicating.
When people feel so self-conscious and anxious that it prevents them from speaking up or socializing most of the time, it's probably more than shyness. It may be a mental health problem known as social anxiety (also called social phobia).
It could occur because of a lack of knowledge, such as the inability to acquire new skills, or because of a competency deficit. Sometimes, the person may know how to perform the social skill, but they may struggle to perform because of limited practice or inadequate feedback.
Of course some people are naturally better at friendliness than others, but it is a skill like any other. And like any other skill, it can be developed with self-awareness and practice.
People skills are defined as the skills used to communicate and engage with others effectively. Common people skills include communication, patience, empathy, and conflict resolution.
There could be several reasons for this. One may be that a person may have been exposed to manipulative people in their life and have a natural aversion to others who come across as too friendly. They simply don't trust friendliness, especially from someone they don't know well.
Ruminating about others
Another a sign of being too nice can be if you regularly find yourself ruminating on what others said or appeared to get away with after the fact. This can also leave a person feeling resentful or depressed about how things turn out.
When we're friendly towards others, it makes us feel like we are making positive contributions to the world. It can even instantly boost your own happiness. Being kind is a rewarding experience that makes you feel good about yourself and can add significance and meaning to your own life.
Friends give pleasant, sincere advice, seeking our highest good (Proverbs 27:9; Proverbs 12:26); Friends honor each other above themselves (Romans 12:10). Friends love each other the same way Christ loves us (John 15:12-13); Friends challenge each other to meet the highest good (Proverbs 27:17).
Proverbs 18:24 In-Context
24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.