Most of us don’t see the value in having acquaintances, but we may just be sleeping on😴 some valuable perspectives and resources! Don’t all friends start as acquaintances? It’s rare that two strangers instantly become BFFs for life! 😊💕 In this #realtalk, we discover how valuable acquaintances can be and why we should give them a chance✨

What is an Acquaintance?

A person you know, but who is not a close friend. An acquaintance could be a colleague, a school mate, or even a neighbour.

Most interpersonal ties we prefer to surround ourselves with are strong ones (ie. close friends). In a fast-paced society where time is precious, the idea of putting in the work to develop a new friendship may not seem feasible for many. 

It’s comfortable sticking to the small circle of friends we have acquired from childhood, or our cliques from school, because of how safe they feel. The familiarity that we have with our close friends is irreplaceable, especially considering the amount of time and effort we’ve invested into these relationships!

But if we think about it, all of our close friends were once acquaintances. Aside from potentially blossoming into great friendships, having acquaintances benefits us in other ways!

Let’s explore!

What can Acquaintances do?

1) Bring new perspectives into our lives

They broaden our horizons, expand our views and colour our world with new possibilities! These new perspectives could pertain to how we view our careers, relationships, families, friendships and even politics and religion. 

2) Bring new opportunities into our lives

Every new acquaintance presents a new opportunity to experience something that we’d never thought of before! These could include new places to makan, new activities to try (e.g. rock climbing, pottery, cooking classes) and sometimes, even new jobs! According to the BBC, many people find new jobs through acquaintances within their network!

3) Enhance our interpersonal skills

Interacting with new acquaintances forces us out of the safety of our comfort zones to engage with someone unfamiliar. This helps our professional life as well, as employers value individuals with strong interpersonal and communication skills!

Do you see greater value in your acquaintances now? Be sure to share our post if your answer is yes!