How to make friends in Kazakhstan

Making friends is an interesting topic.  I believe you make friends anywhere in the world the same way, you become one.  What I mean by that is if you want friends the treat people the way you want to be treated and you will have friends.

Now having said the above I have to tell you that I have few if any expat friends here.  Mostly I don't have any because I don't hang around them.  I am surrounded by local people where I work and where I like to hang out so I have mostly local friends.  I think it is a choice.  I choose to have local friends, I didn't come abroad to hang around people that I could hang around back home, I came here to immerse myself in the culture and meet new people.

I believe that making friends isn't hard, of course it helps to know how to cook,   I usually invite people over to have a meal and over good food and tea you get to know people.  I have done this no matter where I have lived.  I love to cook and I love to eat, and the best part is most people I meet enjoy both of those things too.

I have found Almaty people to be very open and warm.  Just remember that being a foreigner and speaking English is a great opener for meeting people here.  Be open and kind and in turn others will respond back in the same manner. 

I have met people where I work teaching, I have met people at gatherings thrown by other friends, and finally I can meet people just by being out and about.  I have no problem striking up a conversation on a city bus or in a city park.  I think if you just try to be friendly it will pay off.

Certainly I agree with Irai that Kazakh people are friendly and inviting people home for dinner or tea is a great way to make friends. However I would add that in Kazakhstan there is a big difference between acquaintance and friend. You can work with someone for years and never be their "friend", just an acquaintance. On the other hand, friendship here is a very close bond. Someone who can show up at your house at 3am, stone drunk, and you will get up, make them tea and give them a place to sleep. Someone who will skip work to help you. A Kazakhstany friend is a friend indeed.

Unlike in the West, people do not usually befriend their neighbors or meet through social clubs/activity clubs, though you may be on good terms with your neighbors or chit chat with someone at the gym every day. I should also note that in Kazakhstan people rarely chat with strangers so don't expect to meet people at a pub or in the park.

Most native people make friends with people they have worked with for a long time, school mates, and relatives. As a foreigner, that leaves you with workmates. And yes, your workmates will probably be friendly with you and invite you out to show you the country. But it isn't very easy to make friends here. And you shouldn't push the process. Like anywhere else, let it happen naturally by spending time with people you get on well with.

Hi,

I'm not an expat, but I'm looking for a native speaker to work in my language center. Don't you think it's a good way to find new friends among your students and teachers.

Hi I am a British Lady from the North East of England, currentley , living in the Middle East where my husband works.
We are relocating to Atryau in Kazakhstan , where my husband will be working November this year.  Can anyone give me advice of how I can fill my time in, in this country, are there any opportunities etc for volunteer work etc.
I enjoy meeting and helping people, socialising and any advice would be grateful

thanks
Pat

Welcome to Expat-blog, Pat!

You should view Kazakhstan classifieds and could even post an advert there- category-jobs-NGO.

Also,for socialising, view the Kazakhstan expat network where you can start by establishing new contacts.

Regards,
Sheetul

pat1 wrote:

Hi I am a British Lady from the North East of England, currentley , living in the Middle East where my husband works.
We are relocating to Atryau in Kazakhstan , where my husband will be working November this year.  Can anyone give me advice of how I can fill my time in, in this country, are there any opportunities etc for volunteer work etc.
I enjoy meeting and helping people, socialising and any advice would be grateful

thanks
Pat

Hi Pat,

Currently I live in Atyrau. Do you already know when you will arrive to Atyrau? If you want to, I can introduce you to the international women community in Atyrau.

As far as I know it is very hard to find volunteer work in Atyrau (if not impossible), sorry. But of course other activities as sports and culture are always possible. What are your interests?

i am kazakh. and i am agree with KZblog about view kazakhs about friendship. cause kazakhs are more closed people. because if they will speak with u with sincere smile, it means he is your friend) and he take all responsibilities of `friendship`
i am kazakh from Kazakhstan. Almaty. if you will need help u can ask from me. i will try to give help)

Hi everybody,
if you need to know more about Atyrau city any information
I would be happy to help for everyone.

Hi Bota!

Welcome to Expat.com!

Armand

YEAH THANK YOU

hi, my name's Pitt. Currently I do live in London, however I'm gonna relocate to Astana, due to my job. I have no idea, what I will do in my spare time, cos it's new for me. Can anyone suggest me smth? Also, I heard that Astana is coldest part of Kazakhstan, -30F, oh my gosh, how  do people live there???
Perhabs the easiest way is to find or make relationship with girl who could show me sightsings of Astana so on?huh? any volunteers?

hi:
my name is nazygul from China came to astana two month ago.
I am looking for a job .

I don't think astana is cold because When I live in China
The weather is the same .

can we make friends ?

Hi nazygul!

Welcome on board

Armand

happy new yer and best wishesh i am indian man i serch to work with kazaki frend in kazakistan if you are became a frend work with me in kazakistan then right mee

its a topic, i wanted to share over since many days. got time today.
making friends, in almaty, has been a pleasant experience. In spite of listening to various unfriendly article/blogs/weblinks/etc. i am yet to come across people who don't like you if you speak english or are a foreigner.

Instead, if you are heard by them speaking in english, they probably are interested in you for the following reasons:
1. want to know if you are from a better country as per them
2. are interested to make foreign friends
3. are interested in conversing in english or the language you speak for their own practice (specially the young university guys and girls)
4. think that being with you is cooler
5. guys wanting to hang around with you thinking you earn much better than them
6. in some cases , girls wants to have friendship with you, to either showoff among their group or just want to enjoy your money (not always true but not false either)
7. they just want to talk for a while and know your culture
8. they want to know how foreigners think about them and their place

I have always made friends, even when i don't speak good russian, in clubs and bars, on  bars stands, while dancing, in entrance, and even in loos.

The most frequent question asked to me is " how do you like almaty?"

and my reply to them is always " i love this place, i love almaty, its beautiful". And they will be so happy to hear  this.

For the guys, i know , what you are waiting to hear. Yes, girls are friendly, but be decent in your approach and atleast don't look desperate. If you are drunk and stupid, you will be taken for a ride , be assured about that.
And never approach a girl if she's is with a guy and doesn't show interest in you. If she smiles, talk in a friendly tone. Even his friend will not mind that much.

Other than this, there are various websites, where your decent pics and use of language will make you friends with many. I use my 'mobile translator' to the optimum level and it has helped me connect with many people here. But, also be ready to be ignored. Not everyone likes to be a friend in an instant. Not everyone will like to go out in first instant.

Be polite and be reasonable. Talk with intentions to be a good friend. Or you'll always be ignored and wonder what's wrong with you.

so, till now i have enjoyed as far as 6 months of almaty life is considered and have made many friends.

Enjoy making new friends.

hi

Thank you for your input mayankgaur!

-------------------------------

Hello umair ahmed -> Can you please introduce yourself?

Thank you,
Aurélie

it very strange, in this topic we are talking about making friends, but not a single comment or argument i have received over my thread. what's the matter moderators? are we loosing the interest of people?

Hello mayankgaur.

You should be patient. Let the time to other members to see and participate on this thread. They will therefore see your answer and react to it.

Thank you once more for your contribution.
I am sure your tips will be helpful to other members.

Regards,
Aurélie
Expat.com Team

Hi evryone!i just got in to this site and hope to meet interesting people.

Hi! I'm looking for english speaking friends to chat and to get together for shopping, walking. Best if you are originally from the States, Canada, girl in your late 20-early 30. I'm a young woman living in Almaty, looking for friendship. Guys please DO NOT contact if you are interested in getting a girlfriend. Looking forward to hear from you

well i am not a shopaholic. but i do go for long evening walks. which might interest to you.
i am not from states or canada, ofcourse a guy and don't need a gf. just making new friends interest me for sure.

in case you feel like walking along, i might tell you the place i prefer to walk.

till than . ciao

Hey All,

I am new to the expat-blog. I got interested to join since I will be shifting to Almaty in June. It is interesting to read all the previously written comments in this topic.

Can anyone let me know how easy it is to live around with beginner in Russian language?

I am interested to meet and make new friends in Almaty (preferably families).

Nice meeting you all here...

Mr. Mark,

I would recommend you to get atleast acquainted with numbers and greetings.

People here are habituated with listening greetings and polite tone. So, even a cab driver will talk to you in friendly manner if you greet him nicely. And less chances of being cheated or taken for a ride.

Safe country even for a beginner. But, i suppose you must be familiar with the Google translator or (if you have an android device like me + map feature)...it will be a lot easier to move along the city.

If you are a beginner, you will not feel awkward as people don't mind if you admit that you don't know good russian. infact many will feel like talking to you in english as they like to improve their english.

there are many various community forums (although i haven't visited any such events, only heard.) even your family will get acquainted easily with the places. its safe and sound except in the internal areas. so live and enjoy.

Hi, I AM FROM INDIA, I ALSO CAME TO ASTANA 2 MONTHS BACK

nazygul wrote:

hi:
my name is nazygul from China came to astana two month ago.
I am looking for a job .

I don't think astana is cold because When I live in China
The weather is the same .

can we make friends ?

I AM FROM INDIA AND CAME TO ASTANA 2 MONTHS BACK LET ME KNOW ABOUT UR PROFESSION

Hello saad_2020,

Welcome to Expat.com.

It would be great if you could avoid posting with caps lock on the forum please so as to ease the reading.

A little introduction will be highly appreciated

Thank you,

Hasnaa

Hi mayankgaur,

I'm from Singapore, always wanted to visit Kazakhstan.

Appreciate that you shared with experience. Could you list the website or chat room where I can make some friend n understand Almaty before my visits?

Any other friends out there do not hesitate to recog.

hi. i am habib ullah from pakistan and want to visit kazakistan. so first i want to have a good friend  something about it..

habibullah ganchevi wrote:

hi. i am habib ullah from pakistan and want to visit kazakistan. so first i want to have a good friend  something about it..

Why do you want to visit Kazakhstan?

Hello! I am looking for a good English speaker to get real friendship, it would be better if u r from states or Canada. I work in hospitality area and can help with sightseeings in Astana, to understand culture and mentality. It's really cold city, so if it's ur first time visiting Astana, please take warm clothes and pay max 3000-4000 tenge from airport to the city. Also interested in Chinese people who speak English very well. Only for good friendship!!!

Hello! When are you going to come to Kazakhstan? I am intrested in learning other cultures and can help to understand our mentality, to visit cities like Almaty, Atyrau or Borovoe, of course if I have free time. I need to improve my English speaking skills, especially debats, discussions in academic area to get master's degree.

Madin01 wrote:

Hello! I am looking for a good English speaker to get real friendship, it would be better if u r from states or Canada. I work in hospitality area and can help with sightseeings in Astana, to understand culture and mentality. It's really cold city, so if it's ur first time visiting Astana, please take warm clothes and pay max 3000-4000 tenge from airport to the city. Also interested in Chinese people who speak English very well. Only for good friendship!!!

Since I do not fulfill the criteria set by you, I can only wish you all the very best!

Its not just feeling lonely without your friends from back home - as you can make friends here pretty quick for sure; but sometimes you want a home from home and a normal casual conversation with other native speakers...

A great expat bars that gives you this is Mad Murphy's between "Tole Bi" and "Zenkova" - Here is a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NiM6Ostk6g

I hope this helps! )))

Best wishes,

Darren Thompson

WOW, Mad Murphy's!  I'd almost forgotten about that.  It's been nearly 10 years now since I was in Almaty, but I do remember that place.  Thanks for stirring up the memory...LOL

Almaty will always hold a very fond place in my heart and I hope one day to return.  For anyone going to KZ, be open, be flexible, be willing to learn...Kazakh people are some of the best people on this planet.  Enjoy your time while you are there.

i am from Viet nam, I want have a friend Kazathstan

Smiling with everyone is easy way to make friendship.

Hello all expats! I'm looking for a language partner(Russian -English) If you're interested in drop me a line