Even Though You Rarely Meet, Here Are 6 Ways To Be Friendly To Distant Relatives

Illustration of how to be friendly to distant relatives and other people (Unsplash/Naasom Azevedo)

YOGYAKARTA – Being friendly with people who rarely meet seems necessary. Especially when in a moment of family gathering, an attitude that is easy to communicate with builds a pleasant atmosphere.

Apart from the introvert character, an extrovert also needs a strategy to be friendly and polite. By doing the following, you can interact easily when with distant relatives.

1. Stay relaxed

A relaxed state helps you to be more open. That way, you can more easily adjust to the situation of the encounter. For example, during Eid, you must have free time to greet each other before having a long chat.

2. Be a good listener

Responding appropriately requires careful reading or knowing the topic being discussed. When you don't listen well, the response may not be as pleasant as when you listen carefully to what relatives are talking about. Being a good listener also minimizes misunderstandings and triggers the interlocutor to be offended.

3. Understand the other person's body language

Because we rarely see each other, the conversation will likely be awkward. You and your relatives as interlocutors are reluctant to talk further, let alone have a pleasant chat. So, recognize and understand the body language of the other person. If the position is not comfortable, please sit in a more comfortable chair. Or you can take the initiative to choose a cool location to relax in opening a chat. Don't forget, if the other person is bored, it means giving them the opportunity to take the initiative to continue or end the conversation.

4. Overcoming insecurity

Friendly people, generally able to overcome insecurities. They are also open to new people or relatives they rarely see. That way, you can make the other person comfortable and happy to feel welcomed.

5. Small talk

The topic of conversation is often ignored, even though no one likes personal matters seriously discussed at family gatherings. Therefore, talk about light things so that it can keep the atmosphere cheerful.

6. Ask questions to give the other person a chance to express an argument

Sometimes the chat with family is one-way, the older ones have more opportunities to express arguments than the younger ones. This of course will be boring, because not every family member gets a share to share their experiences. This means that you can ask questions to encourage everyone you meet to share their arguments.

The above is a way to be friendly to distant relatives. You can apply it when gathering with extended family during Eid or other big days.