calling them to talk? I would say that would be good....if it is a male that is a different horse to skin...but a female yep call her to chat...of course you have to get the number...so asking for that number is another sign of friendship...

with a man I would say you know much better than I do about how to handle a man who u like...me I would jump in the sack on first date and capture them in my dungeon for a few more times LOL

Hmm no, I meant more like if you see somebody, how would you go about getting that number? I don't know that we've ever really talked about that part on this forum. Like, if you see somebody who interests you as a possible friend, how would you go about doing something like that?

And you're saying if it were a dating situation that you'd jump in the sack...well okay, how would you get them there? This is another side of you bill!

When I was in jury duty, I met someone I really liked - she was friendly and newer to this area and we had a few things in common. I found out what she was interested in and we had some things in common, then I said we should go to a movie or I can show you this or that in town, and then asked for her number and email so we could get together later. There's really no way to be subtle about it. We did exchange numbers and emails, and we have emailed a few times, but never really ended up hanging out though it may still happen in the future. Still, it was a great encouragement to do it and find someone receptive, a potential friend.

If you are just trying to show someone that you are interested in them for now, simply asking them for their phone number and/or email address should do the trick.

So P00, what happened that you never hung out? See that's how it is for me sometimes too.

before asking for the phone number or email address, you might say, "hey.. have you heard about that new movie coming out in a few days, such and such?" and if they say they have and it looks good, you can say, "it's playing at the mall (or wherever)... you wanna see it together?" and then you get the phone number.

or ask them if they want to get some coffee, or walk your dogs together, or whatever - some activity you both might like, which you determine during your conversation together - do they have a dog (and do you?), do they like some specific cafe? where do they like to hang out when they're not busy? that kind of thing.

Welllll... I have a cat. But I get your idea. And I don't know that I feel like I wouldn't know what to say... it's more like what P00bear was saying. Sometimes I meet people and I say to myself "Oh I really should get their number to hang out" but a lot of times I don't follow through.
The last time I said to myself "OK I should probably make an effort to call this person, it turned out a hell of a lot more complicated than I thought." I sometimes think I don't want to pursue this or that friendship because I don't want to get involved in whatever baggage they have.

Hi Wendyhi - in my case, I actually did follow through and contact her. She contacted me back, and actually put someone else in touch with me to help save a dog, because she remembered about my love of dog rescue. I was able to help, and I called her right after the holidays to let her know the status and say hi, but she never called me back, and things just kind of dropped off - I've been busy at work, so I haven't pursued it. I think it just goes back to the time issue for me, I have very little time left in my day to pursue these things, and when I do if the person isn't reciprocal, I don't have the time or energy to keep trying. I think if I emailed her again now, she would be receptive, but I can't say for sure, I know she is busy too. I may email her again soon, though - she seemed interesting and fun.

Oh right...I get ya, priorities!

Oh and PS: Damn straight, I'm interesting so whoever I make friends with damn well better have time for me! I'm more than just idle conversation.

Well it depends on some things, like how open you are and how comfortable you are. If it was me I would probable just come out and say something like, "Hey I like ya", but that is just me. lol..

Ya know, I do tend to do that (unless it's a potential dating thing and I feel like I'm angling way out of my waters) But a lot of times, when it's just a friend thing...well honestly, I feel like I'm pushing it sometimes. I don't know...I feel like maybe I'm not all that interested in them? If they weren't right there under my nose would I really be seeking this person out as a friend? That's why I was asking P00 what made her not follow up on her friendship.

It's true, thinking about what makes people actually click and want to spend time together? I know my friends think I am interesting, and I know it's because I don't follow societal trends and norms and I am proud of that - I look for the same in others, and tend to be attracted to vibrant, social people, and for some reason, they to me. The thing is, there are many people I wouldn't be seeking out if they werent't right there, because otherwise the opportunity to talk wouldn't arise and I wouldn't know anything about them - they kind of have to be right under my nose in day to day living for me to meet them. I've had some very pleasant surprises with friendships this year though, one person was not at all who I thought she would be, and we are now great friends - but I had to be open to her..she could have been someone I might have passed on a friendship with in normal circumstances.

Maybe we're making this too complex. You asked: "How should I show another person that I liked them?" I think that if you are in the very early stage of getting closer to someone you should start by showing them that you like them by focusing on them. Show an interest in whatever they say. Look them in the eye, laugh at their jokes and be agreeable. There's an old saying that the subject people like to talk about most is themselves.

Good luck.

Ya know I'm thinking I should have phrased this better in my mind. I think I'm more trying to say "How should I pick friends".