What Do You Say After Saying Hello?

Making Friends in the U.S.

For many Latinos, making friends in the United States is an unexpected challenge. Let’s be honest: saying “Hello” is easy—the tricky part comes right after. What do you say after saying hello? That’s when doubts show up, silence gets awkward, and sometimes you even regret having started the conversation.

In our culture, friendship feels almost automatic. A simple “hola” at a party can easily turn into “come over for lunch tomorrow” without much effort. But here, you might find yourself waiting for the invitation… and it never comes. The greeting just lingers in the air like a balloon no one grabs.

It’s tempting to retreat into what we know best: the Latino community. There, you don’t have to overthink what comes after hello. We all know the rhythm—a joke, a hug, an invite to a barbecue or a coffee. But if we stay only in that comfort zone, we end up living in a safe… but small bubble. Yes, we live in the country, but we’re not really part of it.

At first, we think the problem is language: our accent gives us away, we might stumble, we might not get the jokes. But no—the real challenge goes beyond grammar. The true difference lies in how friendships are built here. In Latin America, trust can be born in one afternoon. In the U.S., friendship is slow-brewed: short exchanges, repeated encounters, small conversations over time. Friendship here is like drip coffee—it needs several passes before it develops its full flavor.

And then comes the famous small talk. That “talking about the weather” ritual that, to us, can feel like a waste of words. But in this country, small talk matters. It’s the way people test the waters, checking if the other person is open. Don’t dismiss it—it’s the bridge between “hello” and a real conversation.

So when you ask yourself, “What do I say after saying hello?” the answer can be as simple as: “Chilly today, isn’t it?” or “Did you catch last night’s game?” It may seem trivial, but it’s the key that unlocks the door.

Of course, greetings and a couple of comments about traffic aren’t enough. To build real connections, you need to show up where relationships happen: a class, a sports club, a volunteer group, a hiking meetup. Here, friendship doesn’t happen by chance—it grows through consistency. It’s the repetition that turns acquaintances into friends.

Then comes the real test: taking initiative. We can’t always wait for others to make the first move. A simple “Want to grab a coffee?” or “Let me know if you’d like to go for a run” can spark a genuine friendship. Sure, sometimes you’ll hear a “no,” but that doesn’t mean it’ll always be that way. Even rejection is part of the process.

The beautiful part? Our Latino identity isn’t a barrier—it’s a gift. Our warmth, our spontaneous laughter, our habit of opening our homes like public squares—these are qualities many people here admire, even envy. It’s not about changing who we are to fit in, but about adding value: bringing the best of our culture and learning the best of theirs.

So next time you greet someone and that uncomfortable question pops into your head—“What do I say after saying hello?”—just take a breath. The answer doesn’t have to be a brilliant speech or a perfect joke. Sometimes, it’s just a light comment, a smile, or a simple invitation. Because here, friendship doesn’t rush—it grows. And when it grows, it blossoms.

In the end, what will truly shape your life in the United States isn’t only work or financial stability—it’s the relationships you build. And those, believe me, start with something as simple as daring to continue the conversation after you say hello.