1. How do people make friends nowadays?

I don’t really think that the methods for making friends has really changed from the past. If anything377,
I think people are more used to meeting new people and making friends through the internet, like using social media or online forums. But the way to go about it remains the same. It is just about summoning the courage to378 say “hi” to someone and then maintaining that conversation. If the conversation clicks379, perhaps it’s a shared interest, then you have made a new friend.

2. What are the differences between the ways of making friends nowadays and in the past?

The main difference that I’ve noted is that there are now more places where you can make friends. Making friends online is a new trend that I’ve noticed. Actually I am a bit wary380 of those types of friendships because you don’t really know who it is you are talking to, but you might begin a close friendship with someone on the other side of the world. Well, in the past, people tended to have smaller social circles381. So in general, their chances of making new friends were much less than nowadays. Most people’s friends back then were just their coworkers, neighbors, or schoolmates.

3. Which is better, making new friends or maintaining old friendships?

Maintaining strong, old friendships would be better in my opinion. Those kinds of friendships tend to last for lifetimes, and those are the kinds of friendships that you can truly rely on. I suppose that maintaining an old friendship shows loyalty in a person, and allows for someone to really get to know you inside and out382. If the friendship is old enough, it can become a new family-like support system. That kind of unconditional383 love and care doesn’t come from anywhere else.

4. Can employees and their boss be friends? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a friend of their boss?

Employees and bosses can be friends, but I don5t think that relationship would bode too well384. Being friends with your boss might be hard because you know that they have the power over you professionally. It can cause lots of tension with your ego and pride385. Or, if you become friends with your boss, you might get special treatment compared to others which can cause more tension in the workplace. I think you can be friendly with your boss, but friendships might become a little too messy386.

5. How do companies welcome their new employees? (How to make new staff feel welcomed and comfortable?)

Usually companies take the time to partner you up with someone387 who has worked at the company for some time to be your mentor388. That person then takes a few weeks to show you around the workplace, introduces you to your coworkers, and helps you settle in389. Sometimes, some companies set up a picnic day or a field trip to help new employees bond with their coworkers, but that is usually for a very high-end job390 that can actually afford it.

377 If anything:如果一定要说（现在有什么不同的话）
378 summoning the courage to ：鼓足勇气去…
379 the conversation clicks:表示聊天的俩人互动强，彼此有好的印象
380 wary:谨慎的，机警的
381 smaller social circles：社交圈较小
382 get to know you inside and out：从内到外都很 了解你
383 unconditional ：无条件的
384 bodetoo well:往往用否定式，表达（不是）好兆头
385 ego and pride:自尊和骄傲
386 messy:难搞的，难以处理的
387 partner you up with someone:找个人带你，找个人做你的搭档
388 mentor:指导帮助你的人
389 helps you settle in:帮助你适应环境
390 high-end job:高大上的工作