I have been concerned with friends for a long time. I have a few people that I like very much, but unfortunately we don't have the same interests and people have only limited desire to go among people, preferring to sit at home in front of the laptop.
Now I thought that maybe I could get to know people through my hobby, riding. I have my first riding lesson at a new riding school tomorrow. I thought it might be nice to talk to one of the girls in my riding group. (Apparently it is given in a group of 3 riding lessons.) I'm rather the shy type myself, but I would still like to try it. What would be good topics? Is it a good idea to ask for the phone number if you understand each other? I not only want to get to know other people, but also to strengthen my self-confidence. I'm such a shy person, I always stand alone at parties, I don't talk much… I would love to change that because I enjoy the company of others and I think that it might be a lot easier as a 19 year old if you dared a little more. So I throw myself into the cold water tomorrow because I go there all by myself (otherwise I always had a friend with me with whom I used to have riding lessons). Do you have tips for a confident appearance? Any topics to chat about? Or any other tips on how I could meet new people?
Just wait and see how the others are. It often helps to hear what the others are talking about. There's always someone who talks a lot and then you take part in the conversation.
Try to relax and focus on topics they tell. A relaxed demeanor works better than when you are tense and nervous because you will notice that and it may mean a bit strange.
I also ride (but only for a year…) and trust myself, I can put myself exactly in your situation, I'm also rather shy. Just speak to them, introduce yourself briefly, get involved in conversations, ask something like this…: "Tell me, it happened to you before…" etc. Etc. Sometimes you get into very funny conversations. And then you can also ask for a number, for example, even if they know more about how things are going there or if you have any questions. They probably felt the same way as you do, and I don't think more than a no can happen. Make yourself a little more confident in front of the mirror and maybe think about what you could say. It will definitely not be chaotic. Lg🐴🌻☀️, and have fun that's the most important thing!
I think it's really good that you do it that way and I wish you good luck! Only I would not directly after the first time after a phone number. Questions, but first wait a bit to see how it develops. Introduce nice and friendly, maybe include a little something personal, for example, ask the others if they have been riding the stable for a while, what their experiences are, etc. But do not turn up the first time and run over everyone.
Have fun and good luck.
Courage - and don't do anything about it, otherwise it will come across quickly. If you are really interested in riding, in the horses, in everything around, the community results automatically. Afterwards you take care of the horses and the saddle gear, sweep the aisle, empty water buckets and see what there's still to be done. Especially if you are new, just show interest, watch, ask questions, where you can help where it is easy without much. Expertise works. Whoever sweeps voluntarily wins sympathy. In some stables you talk to each other afterwards, or there are regulations such as "whoever had straw in his tail must spend one", "whoever trots on the wrong foot will bring cake next time", or whoever has a birthday will come with a bottle Sparkling wine that is emptied afterwards. The smokers stand together anyway and smoke one more before they go home, as a non-smoker you can just stand there and hold a little smaltalk "have you been riding for a long time?" "which is your favorite peed?" How long does it take before you can gallop? "… With a common hobby, the questions arise on their own. Otherwise you can just be there, listen with obvious interest and wait until the others throw curiously and ask you something.
