15 phrases that instantly make you seem more friendly

The way we say things can sometimes make us look like a snob without meaning to.

Even if we want to befriend others and have a good time, our words may cause the opposite effect.

This usually happens when our nerves get the best of us, and we feel too tense without realizing it.

If you relate to this, you’re not alone. It’s never too late to start connecting with people on a deeper level.

You can seem more approachable and friendly by using these phrases:

1) “I’m So Thrilled to See You! How Are You?”

You can never go wrong with telling people how you feel about seeing them after a long time.

Instead of a simple wave, smile, or “Hello,” you can welcome them with your brightest smile and say things like “I’m so thrilled to see you! How are you?”

They’re likely to warm up to you if you greet them.

Asking them how they’ve been makes them feel like you care about them and wish them the best.

2) “It’s So Nice to Finally Meet You! I’ve Been Hearing Great Things About You”

If you’re meeting someone for the first time, maybe you can do better than a plain smile and handshake.

You can add more excitement to your greeting and express how genuinely happy you are to meet them.

Saying these phrases can strike a good impression, making you seem more friendly and approachable.

They’ll feel how you sincerely want to interact and connect with them.

3) “I Can’t Help But Notice You’re Having a Hard Time With That. Do You Need Some Help?”

Being truly friendly and approachable isn’t only about how you present yourself to others.

It’s also about how attentive you are to their needs, offering to help without them asking for it.

If you notice someone is having a hard time with anything, you can offer to help by saying phrases like “I can’t help but notice you’re having a hard time with that. Do you need some help?”

4) “That’s Not How I Thought It Happened. Can You Explain to Me Further?”

Dealing with situations where you’re not on the same page as the person you’re talking to can be tough.

I know this can be mildly awkward at best and possibly cause conflict at worst.

If you still want to seem approachable and friendly in handling these scenarios, you might want to be careful with your words.

You can say, “That’s not how I thought it happened. Can you explain to me further?” to tell them there might be a misunderstanding.

The other person might get offended when you say, “You’re wrong,” as they might find it rather imposing and arrogant, even if you don’t mean it that way.

5) “I Notice You’re a Bit Tense. Are You Okay?”

Personally, I always think that people who ensure everybody’s having a good time and nobody is getting left out are genuinely friendly and approachable. They sincerely care about others.

When I attended a party where I barely knew everyone, one girl came up and asked me, “I noticed you’re a bit tense. Are you okay?”

She continued engaging me in conversations until I loosened up a bit.

She also introduced me to her other friends, who were just as friendly as her.

I warmed up to her the moment she approached me with that thoughtful question.

6) “I Used to Get Overwhelmed and Come Off As Awkward in These Situations too. You’re Even Pulling It Off Better Than I Did!”

If you want to appear more friendly and approachable, you might want to communicate your empathy more effectively.

You reassure them that their feelings are valid and they’re going to be okay.

Another thing that made me warm up immediately to the girl who approached me at a party I mentioned was when she made an effort to comfort me.

When I told her I was getting a bit anxious about being awkward, she told me, “I used to get overwhelmed and come off as awkward in these situations too. You’re even pulling it off better than I did!”

7) “Thanks, I Really Appreciate This Gesture!”

When someone has done something kind to you, you might want to say more words than a plain “Thank you.”

You can further express your gratitude by saying, “Thanks, I really appreciate this gesture,” pairing it with a smile.

My day will get brighter because of these kind words if someone tells them to me.

8) “It’s Okay, Don’t Worry About It! I Wasn’t Hurt or Anything.”

Maybe someone hit you or stepped on your feet accidentally. I understand that you may be taken aback, whether you got hurt or not. And if I were the one who accidentally hurt somebody, I’d incredibly be worried.

That’s why saying phrases like “It’s okay, don’t worry about it! I wasn’t hurt or anything” might probably help the other person feel relieved.

Reassuring them that they have nothing to worry about can make you seem friendly and approachable.

9) “I’m Sorry to Hear About That. I’m Just Here If You Need Me.”

As I’ve mentioned earlier, verbalizing your empathy can help make you seem more friendly and approachable.

I know responding to unfortunate events can be tough.

But the truth is that you don’t really need to say much most of the time.

Expressing your support and reassurance will do, like saying, “I’m sorry to hear about that. I’m just here if you need me.”

I recently reconnected with a friend, and we asked how each other was doing.

While I was feeling okay, I can’t deny that things aren’t going well recently. I told them about it, and they responded with these phrases.

When they said that, I felt reassured and comforted that someone still supported me in their own ways after all.

10) “I Understand Why You Might Feel That Way, But Please Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself.”

Like responding to unfortunate situations, you should also respond to people confiding in you with sensitivity.

You help make them feel valid simply by saying words like “I understand why you might feel that way, but please don’t be too hard on yourself.”

11) “Growth Is Uncomfortable at First. I’m Sure You Can Do It!”

Maybe someone shares life updates with you, and you sense a hint of self-doubt or fear in their voice.

I used to be an awkward person who didn’t know how to handle situations like this, so I used to ignore what they said sometimes, making me look like a snob.

You can comfort them and express support simply by saying, “Growth is really uncomfortable at first. I’m sure you can do it!” to make you appear more friendly and approachable.

12) “I Can See How My Actions Have Negatively Affected You, and I Deeply Apologize. Is There Anything I Can Do to Make It Up to You?”

When a person is upset with you, they might not feel that a plain “Sorry” would cut it.

Others might even take it as a fake apology, even if you really mean it.

This is because a person in pain wants you to recognize the effect of your actions and reassure them that it won’t happen again, aside from an apology.

You can say, “I can see how my actions have negatively affected you, and I deeply apologize.

Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?” to help ease their pain.

You express remorse, know how your actions hurt them, and offer ways to help them.

13) “Sure, You Can Tell Me Anything! This is A Safe Space.”

Others struggle with confiding in others. So if someone seems to want to talk to you about their problems or other things bothering them, you can reassure them that you won’t judge them or break their trust.

You can say, “Sure, you can tell me anything! This is a safe space.” to make you appear more approachable and thoughtful.

14) “I Believe You Can Do It! Let Me Know if I Can Support You With Anything.”

You can say these phrases if you want to cheer others on about something they’re really excited about.

Sometimes, all of us just need to know that there are still people who believe in us.

Telling the other person you believe in them can make you appear friendly and approachable. You can also offer help to express your support.

15) “I See You, and You’re Enough”

A true friend is someone who sees you for who you are and supports you. I sometimes feel invisible, like nobody cares about me and bothers to ask if I’m okay.

That’s why I think saying these phrases is also important to express that the person you’re talking to is valid and not alone.

You may not know it, but these words may mean the whole world to others.