Probably the best gift to life is friendship. If you have real friends who you love, and they love you. You are the luckiest person in the world.
What I wrote above you must have heard a billion times in your life.
Whenever we ask, "How do I make friends?"
It's always like "You have to behave like a person the other guy likes."
Which is true. I won't deny it.
Unfortunately there is a big "BUT" in this.
While this good for getting to know people, you will never feel connected on the deeper level with this person, and nor will he feel deeply connected with you.
So how do you create deep and meaningful relationships/friendships?
The answer is simple. Don't fake it.
"In our constant effort to fake our lives through it we loose our real selves....and the only part of us which is still "US" is the one which we've always hidden from the world."
~Sahil Hakani
To form deep meaningful relationships we need to know the person deeply, and he needs to know us deeply. While this is the most important aspect, It should not be forced.
It should be natural.
"You were faking your whole life to impress him.....he was faking his whole life to impress her and she was faking her whole life to impress a guy who was faking his whole life to impress you......you didn't like him because the real u didn't like his fake self.....but his real self was made for your real self.....break the cycle....everything will fall in place eventually."
~Sahil Hakani
So then the question urges, How to Make friends?
You just walk up to person say "Hi." and let the conversation flow effortlessly. Be yourself, and be open enough to let the other person be himself.
This technique is slower than the "Only talk about stuff they like."
It has a lesser chance of success.
But what is definite is that every time it succeeds, it leaves you with a deep intricate bond between the 2 people. One who you will be a real friend. Not the "Hi-How are you?-OK Bye!"
This being said, I am not asking to discard the original method. It has it's merits. For example, it is good to create quick professional relationships.
So it boils down to your intent.
Do you want to get into the good books of someone?
or
Do you want a deep and meaningful friendship?