If you, like Katie, are wondering how to develop a solid girl/guy friendship, wonder no more! Here are five fantastic ways to make any guy want to be your friend.

1.Spread Positive Gossip
Everyone has something positive about himself. Strive to look for the good things in others. What are some of the things you admire about your guy friend? Spread them around! Learn to be a positive gossiper.

Aaron answered a tough question in math today? Why not tell somebody? Mitch did great in the big football game? Spread it around. You saw Joel talking to a new kid? Tell others that he’s good at reaching out. The more positive gossip you can spread, the more people will be attracted to you.

Everyone likes to be around someone who’s full of good news. When a guy finds out you’re a positive gossiper and enjoy saying nice things about him, he’ll feel he can trust you, because he knows you’ll choose to talk about only the good things in others and not the bad. What a great reputation to have!

To remind yourself to spread good news, hang this verse inside your locker. ”For a man’s heart determines his speech. A good man’s speech reveals the rich treasures within him” (Matthew 12:34-35 TLB).

2.Carry on an Inclusive Conversation
You’ve been there. You’re standing around with a group of about five friends, and only three of them are really involved in the conversation. It’s not that you don’t want to be a part of it all, it’s just that they’re not really including you. Frustrating, huh? Especially when you’re all standing there together!

If you want to be a good friend with a guy, include him in your conversations. Many girls don’t do this because they feel uncomfortable and don’t know how to involve the guy standing around in what they’re saying.

But a guy will seek to be around the girl who works at including everyone in what’s going on. No one wants to feel like he’s on the outside looking in. The more you can include your guy friends, the more they’ll want to hang around you.

3.Seek His Advice
Mindy was having problems at home. It seemed her parents always let her older brother have more freedom than her. She felt as though she wasn’t trusted.

During lunch, when Bryce asked her if anything was bothering her, she began to share what she was going through.

“It seems so unfair,” she sad. “My parents are really terrific, but I just don’t think they realize how I feel.”

“It could be they’re just being protective of you,” he said, “which has nothing at all to do with trust.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Well,” he continued, “it seems that so many rotten things happen to girls today. I mean, they can hardly walk home after school alone. We’re always hearing about a girl being attacked, kidnapped or killed. It’s not fair, but girls are just more vulnerable. They can’t always fight against a man who’s sicko and determined to do something malicious.”

“That’s true,” Mindy agreed.

“So I don’t think it’s that your parents don’t trust you,” Bryce said. “The truth is, they’re probably crazy in love with you and just don’t want you to get hurt. But your older brother . . . well, he’s more capable of defending himself. Or at least, it’s not as likely he’d be attacked if he walked home alone after school.”

“Yeah, I understand that. But it still doesn’t change how I feel.”

“Why don’t you sit down with your folks and your brother and see if there’s some kind of compromise you can all agree upon?”

“Yeah,” Mindy said. “That’s a good idea. I think I will. Thanks, Bryce. You’re a good listener, and you give pretty good advice.”

“Hey, that’s what good friends are for,” he said. “Come on. Let’s get to English class.”

Everyone likes to be needed. When you seek the advice of your guy friend, you’re letting him know you trust him enough to help you with something important. Don’t misuse this by unloading on him every time you’re together, but go ahead and talk some things over with him. He may be able to help you see your problem in a new perspective by giving you his male viewpoint.

4.Have a Listening Ear
Let your guy friend know he’s safe with you. Give him the freedom to share what’s going on in his life. If he thinks you’re going to start flirting with him when he tells you that he’s having second thoughts about asking Linda out, he probably won’t share anything with you. He needs to know that his secrets are safe with you.

When he confides in you, don’t take advantage of what you know by trying to turn it to your good. If he’s having problems with another friend (who’s also a girl), don’t jump in with “Yeah, Jeanie’s a two-faced snob. You deserve better.” He doesn’t need that. He does need a listening ear.

Hear him out. Offer your heartfelt suggestions and the best advice you can give. If you create this kind of comfortable friendship with him, he’ll know it’s safe to unload what’s on his mind. There’s not a guy in the world who wouldn’t cherish a friend like that. And when you’re having problems with a guy friend? Who do you think is going to be right by your side making sure you’re not hurt or in too deep over your head? That’s right . . . this guy friend who feels comfortable with you.

5.Sprinkle on the Smiles
Though it’s okay to share your frustrating moments with close friends, you want to be careful that you’re not always unloading on your guy friend. No one likes to be around someone who’s down all the time.

Guys enjoy girls who are fun. Smile a lot. Be willing to laugh at yourself. If you trip in the halls or drop your lunch tray, instead of wanting to crawl in a hole and die, tell your guy friend about it and laugh it off. He’ll admire your sense of humor and the fact that you’re secure enough not to worry about this mishap.

Again, establishing good, solid friendships with the opposite sex is one of the most special things in life. Every friendship takes work—even your friendships with other girls. Be willing to invest time and effort in developing deep friendships. Treasure your guy friends and don’t take them for granted.