Swipe? Nah – maybe? Nah. Swipe? Maybe yes? Seems friendly enough, but what if they’re not? Is that what I want? How could I possibly know?

It’s unclear when dating apps started feeling like trying to keep a job, but it’s unanimous – they just do. Every week, more articles about dating-app burnout pop up on the Internet. It is reported that younger generations feel the most tired of endless swiping, with 80% of millennials and 79% of Gen Z admitting to feelings of fatigue associated with dating online.

Using dating apps often feels impersonal, and creating your own profile has long turned into a weird marketing exercise with hours spent on selecting pictures and honing in your bio. It’s interesting, too, how dating apps, designed to connect us, can actually make people feel lonelier. The more profiles you swipe, the more people blur into a faceless mass of “maybes” or “not-quites.” So why are dating apps so popular and so frustrating at the same time? We found three main reasons for this.

A lack of real connection 
With countless potential match options on dating apps, engaging in numerous identical conversations at the same time soon becomes tedious. After all, there's a limit to how many times you can ask someone their favorite color! Given the chances that the conversation will fizzle out, you're inclined to invest minimal energy in initial chats. Then, you find yourself trapped in a cycle: matching, having lifeless conversations, and ultimately never hearing from them again… only to match the next person, with little-to-no hope of a better outcome.

Endless swiping 
Have you seen so many profiles that everyone starts blending together like one giant TikTok algorithm of red flags and awkward mirror selfies? Relatable? Endless swiping can become demoralizing, and studies even show that the use of dating apps is often linked to increased anxiety, lower self-esteem, and frustration. People are left feeling like they’re auditioning for a part they never get, endlessly comparing themselves and their matches until they don’t even know who they are anymore.

Rigidity of expectations 
Dating apps often pressure you to know and disclose what you're looking for immediately. It goes even deeper than just defining if you’re looking for a long-term relationship or something more casual. The reason to go on a dating app is to try to find someone to date. However, most lasting relationships are found organically, when you aren't trying at all. Arguably, putting emphasis on dating from the get-go creates a rigidity and kills the element of surprise that is so fundamental to building social relationships. Here at Yubo, we try to bring serendipity and surprise back into online social interactions, allowing our users to forego labels and expectations when connecting with someone new.

There is something special about meeting someone new. You start talking with them – let’s say at a friend’s party, or in a gaming Discord channel – and you get to connect freely, without any pressure or expectations. Possibilities are truly endless: you can go on to become close friends after a while, or start meeting up every Saturday for a game of Among Us, or just never talk to them again.

Real connection takes time and often starts with the simplest forms of companionship. Think back to being a kid – when you went up to your new bestie in the playground, did you think about what they could do for you? Did you judge them on their jacket or wonder if you’d be friends five years down the line? No! They were there and you were here, and you wanted someone to chill with. From those simple beginnings, you made a connection that could last for the rest of your lives. Or not – and that was okay too. Here at Yubo, we want to recreate that magical serendipity that was a large part of our lives back when we were kids. So, how do we do it?

Multiple connection points 
While it’s possible to make friends whilst swiping on Yubo, it’s not the only way to meet new people on the app. The Live tab is one such place, where you can browse people having video and voice conversations in real life, or alternatively start your own and wait for other people to join! This allows for deeper connections like seeing someone’s face, body language and mannerisms, or hearing their voice, which can make you click a lot faster than matching and chatting via text messages. You can also find friends through our Fast Add feature, which forgoes swiping and sends out 100, 200 or 500 friend requests to random people on the app. Without the selection process, you can start building connections with people you wouldn’t normally swipe right on, allowing you to be surprised by the unexpected. You can explore without judging or evaluating, and it gives you a chance to relax, knowing you’re not being judged or assessed either.

No expectations 
Now that finding "the one" is off the table, there are quite a lot of options opening up before you. Talking and exploring in a relaxed setting is conducive to making connections you didn’t even know you needed. Going with the flow and letting the conversation shape your expectations, rather than the other way around, may be surprising, in a good way. Here at Yubo, we believe in online spaces that give us the possibility to play without the constant fear of being judged, allowing people to meet in a context where expectations are lower, but the potential for meaningful connection is higher. Social discovery apps let you hang out without the pressure of the never-ending series of first dates.

Here at Yubo, we prize one thing above all else – friendship. Maybe it’s time we all started connecting without the pressure to find “the one.” Maybe they’re not the one, but they could just be the best thing that happened to your weekend. Friendship apps encourage connections that bring joy, depth, and authenticity without the pressure of romance. And in a world that’s become so obsessed with finding “someone,” maybe the real victory lies in finding people who simply make life richer and more exciting.

Let Go of Your Expectations to Find Unexpected Connections on Yubo

Yubo, a live social discovery app for Generation Z, aims to help people find a genuine friendship-based connection through its platform. Yubo isn’t a dating app. Instead, it’s designed to make it easier for Gen Z members to make new friends and hang out online.

Since launching in 2015, Yubo has helped create over 2 billion new connections. 

Yubo Lets Gen Z Be Authentic Online and Make Friends Worldwide

Yubo is a platform to make new friends and socialize. It’s not a dating app. And we care deeply about the welfare of our users. Safety is at the core of every choice we make about the platform. Our purpose is to give Gen Z a space where they can connect with important safeguards in place. 

Roughly 95% of Yubo users are Gen Z, whose members today are aged between 13 and 26. Part of Yubo’s safety infrastructure is age gating, which separates users into different communities based on age to limit interaction between minors and adults. You must be at least 13 years old to use the platform. 

We aim to make the platform as safe as it can possibly be for users of all ages. Yubo was the first major social media platform to introduce real-time audio and video moderation for livestreams in 2022. In addition to a host of other safety features and technical tools, all activity on the platform is also overseen by Human Safety Specialists, who work to ensure users adhere to Yubo’s Community Guidelines. 

All of our policies and features are developed with direction from a board of online safety experts from respected organizations such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, The Diana Award, and Thorn.

New users must read and accept the Community Guidelines to sign up for an account on Yubo. The guidelines outline the standards and expectations required to keep the Yubo community safe and foster an atmosphere of inclusion.. It’s a living document updated regularly to reflect the frequent changes and advancements in the digital world.

All You Need To Know About the Social Discovery and Friendship Building App

Yubo is not a dating app. It focuses on friendship and encourages users to be their authentic selves for genuine connections, which is why Yubo’s features are designed for small group interactions, similar to friends hanging out in real life. 

To make it easier for Gen Z to meet new friends, Yubo offers a range of activities and features aimed at helping to “break the ice,” such as gaming or group livestreaming. Users can also connect via messaging. 

When French schoolmates Sacha Lazimi, Jérémie Aouate, and Arthur Patora founded Yubo in 2015, they purposely eliminated the pressure of traditional social media approval metrics, such as likes and follower counts, to make the platform a more natural online environment where users can be their authentic selves.

Everyone should be able to feel safe and comfortable to be themselves, online or offline. We insist that everyone in the live social discovery app community respectfully interact with each other. 

With a unique user experience and a strong commitment to safety and social discovery, Yubo is committed to elevating the online social discovery experience. 

Tinder launched in 2012 and quickly changed the online dating game, becoming the most popular dating app out there. Gen Z daters are distinctly active on dating apps, swiping to find their love connection. 

Yubo also uses a swipe feature, leading some to wonder whether Yubo is also designed for dating. But no, Yubo is among the pioneers of the online friendships movement, using a live social discovery model to help foster friendships among Gen Z, the first digital-native age group in history.

Connecting with new people online can be fun and exciting, but it also comes with potential risks, similar to meeting new people in the real world.

When connecting online, it’s essential to be mindful that you may not be getting the complete picture of who someone you’re talking to or befriending really is. A good rule of thumb is to keep your personal information, like where you go to school or where you live, private. Other types of personal information to keep private include your phone number, last name, or the address of the place you work.

Some apps use location services so users can see each other's locations to find prospective connections or matches. This can put young people at risk. Be sure your privacy settings are enabled. On Yubo, location settings for minors are automatically disabled. Never arrange to meet with someone alone you only know online. 

Online harassment is a common risk for young people on apps, so think twice before sending photos or videos. Sometimes, people are tempted to send nude pictures; unfortunately, these photos can become public. 

It’s essential to use good judgment when interacting with new people and report any instances where another user behaved in a way that made you feel uncomfortable. Yubo has robust user reporting tools, featuring the ability to submit up to four media files (screenshots of images or video, for example) to encourage easy and informative reports that safety specialists can use to address potential Community Guidelines violations. Additionally, lean on your parents or other adults you trust, like another family relative or your teacher at school, if you’re concerned about something you saw or experienced online.

Is Yubo a dating app? The answer is no. Yubo is not a dating app but a social discovery and friendship-building platform popular with Generation Z.

Is Yubo a dating app?

Is Yubo a Dating App?

Friendship in the Age of FOMO: How to Embrace Others’ Adventures and Find Inspiration

Friendship has always been a must-have, offering us support, a buddy to hang out with, and a true sense of belonging. 

However, in today's digital era, we get bombarded with media showcasing people living their absolute best lives - partying at fancy events or going on thrilling adventures. 

It's like we're left behind while everyone else is out there having the time of their lives and that's when FOMO, or the Fear of Missing Out, creeps in. It's that gnawing feeling of anxiety or unease when we believe others are having the time of their lives and what we are doing or have planned doesn’t compare.

However, by understanding FOMO and its impact on our lives, we can take steps to overcome it and embrace others' adventures in a positive and inspiring way.

Embracing others' adventures as a source of inspiration

Instead of thinking "I wish that was me", let's switch gears and think "if they can do it, so can I". See their experiences as a catalyst for our own personal growth and exploration. 

When we see our friends jet-setting to cool destinations, attending concerts and festivals, or living other exciting plans, let's see it as an opportunity to kickstart our own wild adventures. We can research the places they visited, seek out similar experiences in our own city, or plan our own dream trips. 

To create genuine connections and shared experiences, social discovery platforms like Yubo can be a valuable tool. Social discovery platforms focus on fostering genuine connections. On Yubo, users can create profiles that highlight their interests, hobbies, and passions.

You can then connect with others who share similar interests and engage in meaningful conversations. Yubo also offers a variety of features that promote online interactions, such as live streaming, group chats, and the ability to join virtual hangouts. 

By fostering a sense of community and belonging, social discovery platforms can promote genuine connections that go beyond the surface level.

Building and maintaining meaningful friendships

Authentic friendships are built on genuine connections. You have to be true to yourself and allow others to do the same. Share your joys, fears, and insecurities with your friends. Encourage them to do the same. 

Instead of feeling envious or left out, celebrate your friends' accomplishments and let them inspire you. Follow accounts that align with your interests and engage with the community.

But, most importantly, nurture existing friendships. Take the time to chat with your friends and have meaningful conversations. 

Here are some tips for embracing others’ adventures and finding inspiration: 

Practice gratitude: Instead of stressing over what you're lacking or what you're not experiencing, take a second to acknowledge the awesome stuff in your own life. Practicing gratitude can totally change your outlook and help you feel good about where you're at right now.

Celebrate others' successes: When you witness your squad slaying their goals or diving headfirst into epic adventures, go all out and rejoice in their triumphs. Slide into their DMs with a message of congratulations, ask them about the details of their experiences, and genuinely vibe with their joy. By having each other's backs, you can level up your connection and draw inspiration from their wins.

Step out of your comfort zone: If you're feeling like you're in a rut or lacking motivation, it's time to take a chance and step out of your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to explore uncharted territories, whether it's enrolling in a dance workshop, embarking on a solo adventure, or dedicating yourself to a lifelong interest. Embracing fresh experiences can unlock endless possibilities for self-development and ignite your inner fire.

Seek out diverse perspectives: Diversify your circle with a squad of friends who hail from diverse backgrounds and possess a wide range of interests. Dive into conversations that push your boundaries and expand your horizons. By immersing yourself in an array of perspectives, you'll discover inspiration from where you least expect it and cultivate a profound grasp of the world.

Practice self-care: Looking after yourself is so important! It's all about embracing others' adventures and finding inspiration. So, make sure you're putting self-care first and foremost. Find activities that recharge and rejuvenate you. It could be anything from practicing mindfulness to spending time in nature or indulging in your favorite hobby. Taking care of yourself will help you stay positive and ready for new experiences.

In the age of FOMO, it's easy to get caught up in comparing our lives to others and feeling like we're missing out. But the true essence of friendship lies in embracing others' adventures and finding inspiration in their experiences. 

By cultivating authentic connections, being present, and celebrating the accomplishments of our friends, we can find joy and inspiration in our own lives. 

Let go of FOMO, embrace the adventures of others, and let friendship be a source of inspiration and support in your life!

Yubo, the Social Discovery app dedicated to Gen Z, writes about FOMO, the Fear Of Missing Out, and its impact on our lives. Yubo highlights steps we can take to overcome it and embrace others' adventures in a positive and inspiring way.

How are you supposed to make friends when socializing seems scary?

As an introvert, making friends can be challenging or even seem scary. You likely prefer spending time alone or hanging out in small groups of close friends. You might feel like you have a shallow social battery and that large in-person social events are overwhelming. However, that doesn’t mean it is impossible for introverts to make friends. In fact, they may have less friends, but sometimes that also means they have stronger and closer connections with their smaller circle. With a little effort and some strategies in place, introverts can smoothly navigate making new friends and enjoying social interaction.

Quick and easy tips to make socializing more enjoyable:

Finding friends with similar interests is an instant de-stressor. Joining clubs or finding groups of people with similar interests is a great way to cut a lot of “new friend stress” out, because you don’t need to worry about forcing a conversation about the weather. Whether it’s a gaming community, a book club, or a sports group, finding other people who share your interests can help you connect and socialize with those who share your passions. Yubo makes finding friends with similar interests easy by using the Tags feature. You can quickly find plenty of people with the same interests as you, even down to your favorite TV show or musician. It is important to be open-minded in general, but it is especially important when you are making new friends. And you never know, the person you are interacting with might also be an introvert, which could be another level to relate with one another on.

You might need to step out of your comfort zone and initiate conversations you don’t know well. Doing this in person can be stressful, which is why “breaking the ice” online can be far less stressful and can allow you to be a free-er version of yourself. Social media is a great tool for introverts looking to make new friends. Plus, there are plenty of online communities and forums full of people with similar interests and views. It is a great place for people to showcase their interests and creations without face-to-face interactions that might feel too overwhelming. Social media provides a shortcut to having more meaningful conversations, and even developing deeper connections than might be possible in person. It is also a great way to stay in touch with friends you already have. Maybe you are traveling, moved, or just don’t feel like seeing people in person.

Of course, it's important to be cautious when using social media to make friends. It's a good idea to stick to positive, well-established online communities, and to avoid sharing personal information with people you don't know well.  On Yubo, all users are age-verified, so you can feel more confident that the people you are speaking with are actually who they say they are. Authenticity is key to making and maintaining friendships. It is important to be yourself and not try to be someone you are not in order to “fit in” or “impress” others. Genuine interactions create genuine relationships that last a lifetime.

Being authentic can be scary, especially for introverts. Being a true version of yourself requires confidence, which can be hard to come by when you have all of the internet to compare yourself to.

Practicing self-acceptance is a great way to understand yourself better and to be more confident in who you are. Recognize your strengths and flaws and take the time to understand them. If there is a part of yourself that you want to change for the better, set some realistic and attainable goals. For example, if you are an introvert, setting the goal of being an extrovert is unfair, because it clashes with who you are. However, you can set the goal of putting yourself out there more and taking the steps to start conversations. It may be challenging at first, but with practice, everything becomes easier and more natural. You can play up your strengths with ease, so don’t forget to use those. There are also some practices you can easily implement to quickly boost your self confidence, like: learning new skills, exercising, eating better, reading, becoming well-versed in a certain topic, and getting enough sleep. These things may seem unrelated, but they can greatly increase your self-confidence. With more confidence, you will have an easier time pushing through the discomforts that being an introvert can trigger.

Humans are social beings and today there are so many avenues to forge friendships that it can feel overwhelming. Rest assured, it is not about how many friends you have – having good ones is what truly matters. Remember, building friendships takes time. They should never be forced, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen right away or if it takes a few tries to find someone you really connect with. Keep putting yourself out there and soon enough you’ll have a network of new friends and the rest will be history.

How To Make Friends as a Introvert

While the short and sweet answer would be diverse, there is a lot to unpack here! Yubo has over 60 million active users from all across the world, with its three largest communities residing in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. While those are Yubo’s three largest communities, Yubo is also popular in places like the Philippines, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and the list just keeps going!

Do these communities use Yubo differently? 

Each country tends to have its own “style” of livestream. For example, The UK favors debate Lives. Most debates are about trending topics that can be funny or controversial. Regardless of what they are, one thing is for certain, they will be debated. The more ridiculous or satirical the argument, the more the UK users seem to enjoy it. France also loves its debates, and like its nation's high attention to social issues, the debates are often focused on social justice or politics. A lot can be learned from listening to those Lives. On the other end of the spectrum, there is the US who simply loves to entertain. US users not only enjoy the in-app games Yubo provides, but they have even created a few of their own games using the in-app prompts provided – such as using the “Would You Rather” boxes to conduct polls and using the spin the wheel from “Draw Quiz” to randomly select other users – pretty nifty. US users are also the most active participants in Yubo challenges and they never disappoint. Some of the more tight-knit Yubo communities are those in Latin America. They tend to have close connections with each other and spend a lot of time just hanging out together on Yubo.

Are there different types of profiles within the Yubo streamer community?

Naturally, there are different types of people who stream on Yubo Lives. There are solo entertainers, hosts for talent shows, or the majority of people just tryna hang out with a few of their friends or meet new ones. While some users primarily use swipes and direct messaging to connect with new people, on the flip side, there are also users who primarily use the app for its live streaming feature. The overwhelming majority of users dabble in both swipes and Lives – how could you not? There are roughly three types of Yubo streamers. There are the “entertainers” who always put on a show. They love to host talent shows, game nights, debates, meet and greets, and more. These lives often have a high number of viewers and are pretty fast-paced. Then, there are the “solo” streamers. These people are typically charismatic, funny, or both. They often talk with viewers, briefly rotate inviting people on stage with them, and tell lots of stories. Last but not least, there are the majority of Live users, the “friends.” These are people who use Yubo exactly as it's intended, they hop in small Lives and meet new people or chill with their friends virtually. 

How can such diverse communities make friends with others who share their passions? 

Although the background of Yubo users is both ethnically and culturally diverse, they still find commanilites through tags. If you don’t know, tags are topics of interest (for example, music artists, TV shows, sports or activities) that users can pin to their profile, making it easiest for people with similar or the same tags to find each other. You can also search for profiles based on tags, making it that much easier to find others with similar interests. Of the over eight million tags, some of the top tags across Yubo include: Naruto, Stranger Things, Minecraft, Drake, and The Avengers.

Can I make friends with Yubo users in another country? 

Of course with an international user base comes a wide array of languages and dialects. Users have access to Lives in other languages and can also add friends from other countries! This presents a great opportunity for users to find out about other cultures, as well as practice and learn other languages. After all, the best way to learn a new language is to speak it.

Are there any similarities across all of Yubo’s community?

While Yubo is a global app, one of the main factors our international user base has in common is the generation they are a part of: Gen Z. Generation Z, sometimes referred to as Centennials for being born on the turn of the century, were born anywhere between 1995 and 2010. This means that Gen Z currently spans the ages of 13 to 28 (at the time of writing). 99% of Yubo users are between the ages of 13 and 25, making nearly all of them Gen Z. All in all, this may seem like a huge age gap when thinking about interacting online. This is why Yubo has implemented a few powerful systems to keep users interacting with people of a similar age. While we can’t give away all of our secrets, we will briefly explain how these systems create an online environment for Gen Z to interact that is as safe and healthy as possible.

First off, Yubo requires all of its users to verify their age using cutting-edge age estimation technology. This ensures that each user is actually who they say they are. Our age verification system works hand in hand with what we call “age gates.” Yubo implements age gates, which can otherwise described as different groups or communities on the app based on age, that separates users based on their age and limits interactions teens from adults – similar to how you would interact with others in real life. For example, if you are 15, you are much more likely to hang out with other 15 or 16 year olds than someone who is say 25. 

You might be wondering how old you must be to use Yubo? The minimum age someone must be to use Yubo is 13 years old. If they are under 13, they are unable to create an account or use the platform. And if you're not at least 13 years old, our age verification system will make sure you can't join Yubo. Wait a few years and come back and we'll be happy to introduce you to the whole Yubo community.

Yubo was designed specifically for this generation, so it makes sense that 99% of our community is Gen Z between ages 13-25. So while the app is currently made for this age range, Gen Z is growing every year and it is normal that Yubo evolves with these users. 

Are you new to Yubo? Or are you a Yellow user and want to know more about the Yubo community? You've come to the right place! We'll introduce you to our community and all the different types of people you can meet. Welcome to the Yubo community.

Come and Meet the Yubo Community

We all know about ‘red flags.’ They’re those unflattering traits or behaviors of another person that tell you to proceed with caution and that they may be someone to avoid welcoming into your life. Well, if there are such clear signs of what to avoid, then what about the ‘green flags’? The signs that inform you that a person is likely great. In today’s fast-paced digital world, it can be challenging to identify these positive traits in others. But, understanding and recognizing green flags is essential for building strong, healthy relationships, especially friendships. Let’s take a look at the most important green flags that you should look out for when building friendships. 

First and foremost, they show up on time. Showing up on time, means they respect you and your time. And any form of respect is always a green flag. When they show up on time, they’re proving that they care. Not only this, but by showing up on time, they’re demonstrating that they are reliable and organized. You can rely on them to stay true to their commitments and to be generally dependable.

Honesty is at the foundation of every successful relationship. To be honest means to be transparent about your intentions, feelings, actions, and admitting to mistakes when you make them. Honesty is about being genuine and authentic in your interactions with others. If you can’t trust the words they say or actions they make, then you can’t trust them as a person. However, when someone is honest with you, then you know they are trustworthy and that’s a huge green flag. 

What is active listening? Active listening is respectfully listening, understanding, and responding to another person. This is a positive attribute to have because it shows the person has empathy, respect, a willingness to learn about you, and is an effective communicator – or at least will try to be. While you can’t expect someone to always understand what you share or say, their attempt at doing so by being an active listener is what matters.  

Empathy is a very valuable quality to find in another person, especially in today’s world. Empathy represents the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Between the quick judgments on social media and extreme biases by mainstream media, it can be hard to slow down and remember that in every situation we experience there are real people, with real emotions and feelings, involved. By putting ourselves in the shoes of others, it can help us create a kinder world. If someone has the ability to show empathy for you or for others, you can trust that they are a more or less a nice person and they’re more likely to hear you, understand you and be there for you – definitely a green flag.

If they focus on bettering themselves, then it’s clear they care about self-improvement. They have the self-awareness to acknowledge their mistakes or shortcomings, allowing for self-reflection and personal growth. And most all, if they prioritize self-improvement, they’ll help you to push yourself to reach your dreams as well. They won’t allow you to stay stagnant and that is a great green flag. 

Having a positive attitude will always be a green flag. Someone who is optimistic, and always tries to find the positives in life, no matter how difficult the situation, is someone who could very well brighten each and every day. They’re not someone who allows you to get dragged down with all the negativity in the world. Instead, they’ll remind you of happiness.

An open-minded person is one who is willing to consider new ideas, perspectives, feedback, and opinions that may differ from their own. When someone is open-minded, it allows for better, more balanced communication and often greater understanding of others. An open-minded person won’t judge you for being you and won’t criticize you for the way you think. And that’s why it’s a green flag, because it’s someone you can just be your true self with. 

Of course, there’s one green flag we can’t forget about – if they’re on Yubo! Now, we may be biased in saying this, but being a Yubo user shows an eagerness to socialize, be open to meeting new people and make connections. They may not necessarily be the most outgoing in the room, but they’re willing to put themselves out there in to create lasting connections. When looking for friends, meeting someone else with that same goal, will likely make the process much easier. 

We all know about ‘red flags.’ They’re those unflattering traits or behaviors of another person that tell you to proceed with caution and that they may be someone to avoid welcoming into your life. Well, if there are such clear signs of what to avoid, then what about the ‘green flags’? The Yubo team decided to look into this and thanks to all the friendships created on Yubo, they have put together a list of Green Flags currently found in your potential future best friend.

Green Flag

Green Flags

Making friends can be tricky. Even just interacting with others can be stressful for some. Have you ever finished a conversation with someone  only to replay every second of that conversation over and over in your head afterwards? Or maybe even during the conversation itself, you start overthinking every word you’re saying, taking your mind away from the conversation and leaving you unable to enjoy your time with the person you’re talking to? 

Well, here are some helpful tips for what to avoid doing and what you can do instead to have a successful conversation that you won’t need to rethink later on.

It’s important to show people you care about their life, or at least what they’re talking about, but when it starts turning into you asking question after question after question without you offering anything in return, it might start to feel more like an interview than a conversation.

What to do instead: It is still important to ask questions, but in between their answers add in your own anecdotes, ways in which you can relate or a time when you experienced something similar. After all, the person you’re talking too probably wants to learn about you too.  Instead of asking where they were born, what their parents do, what their dreams are, what’s the answer for that security question on some website without giving them all but two seconds to take a breath between answers, make sure you give them the chance to ask you questions and answer them as well. 

So, don’t ask too many questions, but also don’t talk too much? We’re not quite saying that. Avoid feeling pressured to fill every second of the conversation with interesting facts about yourself or your family’s history, what you ate today, how the weather is, or anything else that comes to your mind. People want to gain an understanding or your personality and your vibes, but you want to give the other person a chance to speak too so you can learn about their personality and their vibes. If the vibe is only talking about yourself and never allowing the other person to equally share, well, then it’s not vibing.

Instead, make sure you’re giving them the opportunity to add in their own interesting tidbits as well. And if they’re the type that doesn’t freely offer their own information, try to encourage them to share as well. Make it clear you want to know more about them, and you’re not just asking over pleasantries. 

While it’s important to share common experiences and relate to those you're talking to, be careful not to one up the other person. For example:

Potential Friend #1: “I had a horrible day yesterday.”

You: “Me too, my day was probably even worse. My fish died.”

Potential Friend #2: “I got tickets to this singer!”

You: “Cool! Oh, you’re sitting back there, I went yesterday and was just inches away from them!”

Potential Friend #3: “I’m so tired.”

You: “Me too, I stayed up really late feeding the homeless. You?”

We’ve all unintentionally done this – tried relating to them and instead ended up one-upping them intentionally. It’s okay to make that mistake, but if you keep doing it over and over, well, that person may not want to share any more information with you, and it could cost you the friendship, if there ever was one, right there. 

Let’s replay the previous conversations, but with some better answers. 

You: “I’m so sorry, do you want to talk about it?”

You: “You’ll have a great time! I saw them recently, and they were awesome.”

You: “Me too. What’d you do last night?”

This is not saying to avoid sharing your stories, but instead, be mindful of how you share them and how what you’re saying might make the other person feel. Don’t immediately discredit whatever your friend or potential friend shares with you. Let them speak, listen to them, make them feel heard, and then open it up to sharing your own stories. 

If you’re talking to someone, focus on them. Don’t do other things on your phone (unless your mom calls, that’s the only pass), take out your fidget spinner, or even a book. When you’re doing this, you’re telling them that the conversation with them is not as important as whatever else you are doing, that you need a distraction whenever you’re talking with them, or that they’re not good enough for your time.

Keep distractions on your photo to a minimum and try to avoid opening other apps or having other side conversations at the same time (again, unless it’s your mom, of course). Try your best to stay in the moment and show the other person that you’re interested in the conversation you’re having with them. 

While there’s many more “rules” that could be said, these are some common behaviors to be aware of. But, most importantly, don’t fret too much over it. Just be aware of what you say and of how you treat others. There’s no perfect strategy to creating or maintaining friendships, but caring is always the best place to start. 

Avoid Doing This To Make Friends

The bromance. A term used to describe two men in a close friendship. It’s a beloved and popular word, used frequently in our society. But, why do we feel such a need to use such a word to describe a male friendship? Why can’t male friendships just be friendships? The assumed need of a unique term to describe the male friendship phenomenon is in itself something to consider. 

You’re probably familiar with the “bromance.” If not, it’s defined (by actual dictionary publishers) as “a close nonsexual friendship between men.” It’s also a mixture of “brother” and “romance,” despite having no romantic intent. Bromance would be used to describe the friendship between those like Joey Tribbiani and Chandler Bing (Friends), Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee (The Lord of The Rings), and of course, Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne (Dumb and Dumber). It’s that ultimate friendship between men other people might strive to have, or, just love watching unfold. 

While you may hear bromance used more frequently while discussing famous actor pairings or fictional characters, these definitions of what a male friendship should look like affects real life as well. Boys and men alike feel as if they can’t form those close friendships due to what others may think of them. In a 2021 poll by The Survey Center on American Life, it was revealed that American men who deem themselves to have “no close friends” have gone from 3% in 1990 to 15% in 2021. While that may seem like a small percentage, a quintuple increase is a significant indication of the issues that might be plaguing male friendship. 

Bromance had its first national appearance in the 1990s thanks to Dave Carnie, editor of the defunct American skateboarding magazine, Big Brother. He used this word to describe skateboarding friends who would have to spend a lot of time traveling and boarding together. Since then, the idea of needing to describe a male friendship as a Bromance grew in popularity thanks to movies like Superbad (2007) and I love You, Man (2009). Both these movies focused on extremely close male friendships who eventually both said, (unsurprisingly) “I love you” to each other. While connecting emotionally to each other should have been a heralded breakthrough, it instead was the punchline of a comedy movie. As displayed by Hollywood, men can’t just share their emotions freely. It always needs to be something to laugh at, and that’s a key problem of the term, bromance. 

But, why is bromance even used in the first place?

Simply put, we use the term “bromance” because of the societal pressures on men when it comes to emotions and relationships. There is no such thing as a “sismance” – or when two girls are close friends – that’s just called friendship. When a girl and a boy are friends, it’s still just friendship. But, when two boys are friends, that’s when it’s no longer a friendship and instead becomes referred to as a bromance. While it seems like just a comedic title for a friendship, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes. Referring to male friendships as “bromances” has an impact. 

How does using “bromance” limit male friendships?

If men were to share their emotions with fellow friends, they’d be seen as unmasculine. If men were to hug or show physical signs of affection for each other, they’d be referred to as a couple. It was so outlandish in the early 2000s media that two men could be affectionately physical with each other that Friends dedicated an entire episode to men napping together and the connotations involved with that. 

As children, boys can freely experience the emotions they encounter. But, as they get older, they’re discouraged from sharing those feelings with one another. They are conditioned to connect with each other over stereotypically “masculine” activities like watching or playing sports instead of actually talking to each other about their days, how they feel, issues they’re facing or what the latest is in their lives. In 2019, Movember polled over 4,000 men across the world about the pressures to “man up.” The study found that 77% of men polled believe talking is an effective way to deal with problems, while 76% of those polled believed that talking openly can provide a positive impact on their mental health. Despite those answers, 38% of men said they avoided discussing their feelings with one another so as to not appear unmasculine. And 21% said they just do not have anyone to talk about their problems with or would rather avoid doing so.

Friendship is an essential part of life, regardless of gender, and we should all be encouraging friendships no matter who they’re with or what they look like.

The bromance. A term used to describe two men in a close friendship. It’s a beloved and popular word, used frequently in our society. But, why do we feel such a need to use such a word to describe a male friendship? Why can’t male friendships just be friendships? The assumed need of a unique term to describe the male friendship phenomenon is in itself something to consider.

Why do we use the term, bromance?

Everyone has heard the age old expression, “opposites attract.” Whether you’re talking about The Beauty and the Beast, Ron Weasley and Hermione, Wall-E and Eve, or Shikamaru and Temari; opposites attract is one of the oldest tropes in fiction. But, does the same idea apply to platonic relationships? Do similar interests matter when making friends? Yes, and no. 

Similar Hobbies & Interests Make it Easier to Make Friends

If you research how to make friends, most articles such as this one, will tell you a key component to making friends is through joining something. Whether it’s a club, organization, or even a fandom, the key is to be with like-minded individuals who share similar interests to you.

For example, if you’re a major anime fan, head over to an anime convention! As described in a cosplayer thread, conventions are “the easiest way to make new friends… it's easy to just chat with people.” Any fan of anything absolutely loves to talk about their theories, reviews, ideas, or just their love of that topic! It’s easy to start off any conversation, or soon-to-be friendship, with an opener about your common interest. In a recent survey directed towards Americans about friendship, 51% of surveyors said they have activity friends, meaning those that they participate in different activities with whether it be hobbies, sports, or anything else social. 

Making friends by absolutely fangirling over a concept doesn’t just have to be something that happens in real life either. Thanks to social media, and of course, the internet, people from all over the world can meet those with similar interests to them! Online friends may be a bit more rare than real-life friends with 39% of surveyors from the previously mentioned survey saying they have friends that they purely only interact with on the internet, and never in person. But, these bonds can be twice as strong. 

You might have noticed this yourself, but humans tend to be more confident online than in person. Of course, this might make you think of internet trolls, who have confidence because they’re able to hide, but for this instance, we’re taking a look at a more positive side of internet interactions. So, what are the reasons behind the boosted confidence and how does it help you make friends?

When introducing yourself to someone online with a known interest similar to yours, you can get straight to the point of discussing your passions. No more wasting time with the obligatory (and boring) greetings. Plus, talking about a shared interest instantly brings a level of excitement to the conversation that you both share. You’ll feed off each other's energy and thanks to the safety of your screen, you don’t need to think of strong responses right away. You have time to read what they said, process it, think of what to say, and send a worthy reply. Just because you need some more time online (usually) to add to a conversation, doesn’t make the conversation any less genuine. 

At Yubo, we want to make meeting and making new friends as simple as possible. That’s why we added the add by tag feature to be the ultimate icebreaker. 

What are tags on Yubo? Yubo tags are interest-based signs that can be added to any user’s profile. Users can add as many tags as they’d like! All they have to do is go to their profile, click “tags,” and then pick their favorite tags from any of our 18 categories:

TV & Podcasts, Games, Music, Movies, Sports, Food, Languages, Schools (higher education only), Places, Manga & Anime, Lifestyle, Activities, Pronouns, Brands, People, Books, Spirituality, and of course, Yubo.

And then, if a user would like to add someone else with the same tags, all they have to do is open up their profile, click on the said tag, and then they’ll see a list of those who all have the same tag in their own profile. Watch a full tutorial and explanation of the add-by-tag feature below!

Find your Friends on Yubo with Add by Tags

Are Friendships Stronger because of similar interests?

Having similar interests can definitely make friendships easier to form and maintain. If the two of you are into the same musician, you can listen to their music together. If you’re both obsessed with the same tv show or book, you can read it or watch it at the same time. If you’re into basketball, you can discuss strategy or the game that’s on. Having similar interests or hobbies can help ensure you never run out of something to connect on or talk about with that friend. 

Do you need to share interests to be friends?

No. While having similar hobbies or interests can make friendships easier, it does not reflect the quality of your friendship at all. Opposites attract doesn't just apply to romantic pairings on the screen, but also to your friends in real life. Many friends have stark differences that end up complementing each other. When making a friend, or evaluating a current friendship, all that truly matters, is how they make you feel. 

Do Similar Interests Matter When Making Friends?

What are the benefits of having friends from all around the world?

There are so many perks to having international friendships, it is hard to fit them all into this blog. To list a few: you can have valuable cultural exchanges, pick up pieces of a new language, get local recommendations, and so much more. At a minimum, having friends from all over the globe gives you a deeper understanding of the world we live in.

There are plenty of ways to make international friends!

With the power of the internet, you can easily chat by messaging or video with people you have never met before living in places you never even knew existed. You have probably had online interactions with people from other countries without even knowing it. Look at Yubo for example, you have access to the whole world in the palm of your hand. You can literally live stream with people from another country anytime you open the app. Our users often share their experience making international friends on Yubo, too! Friends from all over the word don’t always need to live in another country or be met on some grand adventure. It can also be as simple as having lunch with an international student or someone who has immigrated to your community that you welcome with open arms.

Does having friends from all over the world make you more open minded?

The answer to that is 100% yes! When one of your friends is from another country there is a constant cultural exchange going on. It helps you practice multiculturalism, which helps you be more accepting of others: whether it is religion, skin tone, culture or ideology. There are countless things we take for granted or think are normal everywhere. For example, if you live in Switzerland, you probably think everyone has convenient access to the world's best drinking water right from their tap, but this is far from the case. In some countries, you can’t drink any of the tap water. And if you live in Hawai’i you are likely used to rinsing your plates before using them in case a cockroach has scrambled across it. But, that might sound real freaky to someone who lives in New York. There are infinite comparisons you can make to highlight the world's subtle differences, but those differences are fascinating and can make for great conversation starters.

There is so much to be learned from different cultures and perspectives. For example, in Samoa they still have strong ties to their history, despite being colonized multiple times. Every landscape or food source has a story behind it. That mountain range is not just a mountain, it is actually a sleeping giant who lay there to rest for so long that he became part of the earth. Even coconuts have fantastical lore behind them. These rich friendships make you more empathetic towards worldly topics and issues. By knowing how different cultures and countries can be, it is impossible to look at a global topic as black and white.

What is the coolest part of having international friends?

The priceless cultural exchanges you have are the best part. Don’t get me wrong, having friends from across the world makes traveling a lot more fun! It adds locations you would have never thought to go to, like why go to Italy when your bestie has told you all about the wonderful sights in Tahiti? On top of that, you are able to get a genuine local experience in that new environment. You won’t get caught up in the surface level tourist traps, which are never good for the locals by the way. Instead, you have the chance to immerse yourself in a new community and culture with local recommendations directly from a friend. Opportunities like that are hard to come by.

Who needs Duolingo when you can actually speak with someone in another language. Apps and translators are definitely helpful for getting the basics down, but often they are not common phrases or the way people actually speak with each other. At a minimum, with international friends you will at least pick up a couple phrases or words. You might even incorporate some into your own vocabulary. If nothing else, it can at least be a quick flex. You might even run into the perfect opportunity to actually use those words or phrases. I always like learning how to say thank you in other languages because it just might brighten up someone else's day. For example, I learned how to say thank you in Thai and the next time I went to one of my favorite Thai restaurants, I used it. The owner’s face lit up with a big smile and they got a little excited and said it back. Sometimes, it’s the small things in life that can make the biggest differences.

Yubo is a place where you can easily expand your social circle online with nex friends from all around the world. These new international friendships can bring you so many perks in your daily life and for you personally! Come and discover with us some of them (there are far too many to describe in only one blogpost) - believe us it's worth it!

Yubo's Take

Here for all of it.