In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Make sure that your friends, classmates, and acquaintances all know that you are always there for them, and ready to be a sympathetic ear. If you're a helpful listener, people will seek you out when they have really juicy gossip to share. Help them to unburden themselves of those weighty secrets. Then, you know, spread them around. Practice your active listening skills. Make eye contact when someone is talking, nodding your head along to encourage them. Repeat and summarize what they've said, and encourage them to talk more. Sometimes, it's helpful to give a little gossip of your own to help get someone talking. If a friend seems bothered by some problem, say something like, "You know, I've been feeling the same way. Tell me how you're feeling" to get them started. Then just keep talking about them instead of circling back to you. People typically want to keep secrets to themselves. If you want to bring gossip up to the surface, you've got to learn how to dig below and get at the good stuff. Pay attention to body language when someone talks to you. If someone is shifty, uncomfortable, and won't make eye contact, it likely shows that they're feeling uncomfortable about a topic you're discussing. Ask leading questions to keep them talking. "What happened next?" or "And then what did he say?" will help to keep the gossip rolling, even if the other person doesn't want to talk. Be insistent. If you like to talk, go where the talkers go, and hang out with people who like to gossip. Learn who you can trust with secrets, and who will spread them on to others by asking pointed questions. If someone gives you the goods when you ask, "What's her deal?" you know you've got a friend in dirt. Added bonus: If you have a friend who is always blurting out secrets, it makes it easier to blame gossip on them, if necessary. If your friends are unable to keep secrets, keep your own secrets under close lock and key. Be very careful you don't go from gossiper to gossiped-about. Women often get an unfair reputation for being the gossipers of the world. In truth, studies reveal that men are slightly more willing to gossip, especially when it comes to workplace rumors and conversations. While the gossip of strangers is never quite as good as the gossip of people you actually know, good dirt is good dirt, regardless. If you want to find something good to gossip about, pay attention to what other people are saying around you. When you're on the bus, in a coffee shop, or just taking a walk, keep an ear out for good side conversations. Pro tip: Wear ear buds or headphones when you're sitting somewhere in public, and pretend you're listening to something and can't hear. People will talk more freely if they think you're not able to hear what they're saying. Facebook and Twitter are great places to dig up some serious gossip. People tend to be less guarded and more loose-lipped when they're posting online, which means you can find out stuff they might not normally tell you. If you know a couple train-wrecks, set your phone to send you a notification any time that person posts something, or change your settings to promote that person's stuff. Be sure you don't miss out on any ridiculousness. When someone posts a big batch of pictures, make sure you look through it for signs of potential gossip. Where did they go? Why? What's going on there? Try to come up with good answers. Read celebrity gossip blogs and dirt-sheets as well. While gossiping about what one of the Kardashians is up to might seem less exciting than people you actually know, starting out by dishing on celebs can be a good way to transition into juicer gossip. Get the conversation rolling with red carpet talk, then dish on the real dirt.
Summary: Be a good listener. Learn how to dig deeper. Make friends with other gossipers. Eavesdrop. Snoop around online. Pay attention to the stars, too.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Your goal is to break down the stereotypical standards of behavior for inter-sex communication, since you are asking for a "friend date" and not a romantic date. He might feel peer pressure if his friends are there to treat you like a potential love interest, or to assume that you are hitting on him. The presence of other people might create anxiety for one or both of you. If you are anxious, your request to hang out as friends might unintentionally come off as insincere. Instead of approaching the subject of hanging out together from the perspective of having compatible personalities, ask him to join you at a concert for a band you have been talking about, or to go ride all the roller coasters at the nearest amusement park. Avoid statements like, "I think we should be friends," or "We have a lot in common and should hang out sometime." These expressions imply saying yes to a "friend date" means committing to be in your life long-term. Telling him you like his personality and want to spend time together might put him on the defensive by sounding too much like a romantic interest. Keep your request casual. Don't excessively explain why you want to hang out with him or offer too many choices of activities to share. Instead of saying, "Let's go to a concert together sometimes," you can say, "I'm going to see________ play this Friday. Want to come?" When people are shown interest by someone of the opposite sex, they tend to consider whether or not they are being hit on. Avoid any inclination to flirt just because he is a guy. Treat him the same as you would a girl you want to befriend. Watch your tone of voice to ensure you are speaking like you do to your other friends. Girls tend to speak in a higher voice and talk more quickly when flirting with a new person. Avoid touching him or entering his personal space. With the exception of a handshake or high five, don't initiate physical contact since it is a universal sign of flirting. If you already have a significant other, state that up front to express that you are not available for dating and just want to be friends. If you get the impression that he is attracted to you or thinks it's a date, be direct and tell you are only looking for companionship, not a boyfriend. It is less likely to feel like a "date" if you invite him to join a group of friends. Another advantage to asking him to do something specific, rather than just spending time together, is that it allows him the choice to decline without feeling bad or worrying about offending you. Negative feelings are no way to start a friendship! Saying no doesn't mean that he has no interest in hanging out with you. He may have another engagement that day. He might have had a bad experience at the club where your favorite band is playing and not want to go there. Perhaps he is very hesitant about starting new relationships too quickly due to past experiences with failed friendships. Respect his right to say no, and don't assume it means he isn't interested in doing something else at another time. Don't push him by inviting him somewhere else immediately. Wait until you have another encounter with him to explore other possible mutual interests.
Summary:
Approach him when he's alone, not with a group of his friends. Ask him to do something specific. Make it clear that you want a friendship, not a relationship. Don't take it personally if he turns you down the first time.