@SarahB - I think we both know what Spartans wrote and meant. No need to 'put words into his mouth'. That's a familiar tactic of a resident troll. If you don't want to be accused of being him the it's best you don't act like him. :)

Sarah, In answer to your question, you make Chinese friends much as you would make American (or other) friends. The ability to speak some Chinese would help of course. Why do you imagine that it would be different? Do you see Chinese as socially retarded? Serious questions. I just want to know.

How to make friends?
Whether they are Chinese or otherwise, the key is to be open to conversation and lock into what you have in common with them.

debaser, my question was about different cultural ways of expressing friendship. That is perfectly valid.

Sarah, is my answer not valid? how about my questions? were they not valid?

Sarah, just use your head, trial and error, it will either work or not, shouldn't be a huge problem either way, better instruction and more reliable than you'll get from a 360-page handbook put together from the opinions of those who post here. I've met Americans, Indians, Japanese, Chinese and others who have asked me questions like: How to talk to foreigners?

Think of it like learning to swim, but easier. There are books on such subjects, but I think that, for the most part, you'll be better off relying on your own experience. And I'm not dismissing your question - what I'm saying is based on my own experience.
Why do so many posters here impress me as primarily interested in themselves and in denigrating those who disagree with them, including their ideas & their personalities? Is this just me?

Alien, good thoughts. Thank you.