These are 3 steps that a new or old player can use make friends on SL:
1. INTRODUCE YOURSELF
When introducing yourself start off not with a hi or hello, from my experience those greetings are common and may be an indication of wanting something perverted. Also it's just simple or too common. Instead try starting with a full sentence saying hello, stating your Second Life name and making conversation. For example:
Hello my name is Jacky and I hope you are having a wonderful day.
2. MAKE CONVERSATION
When making conversation try not to ask too much about the persons real life as soon as you meet them. Most times this comes off as strange and person will take necessary precautions to keep their personal info safe (remember Second Life can be dangerous and people must always be cautious in giving out personal information). When meeting people for the first time try and talk about topics that everyone can relate too such as: weather, clothes, world events, sports etc. Try to stay way controversial topic such as politics, religion, etc. before getting to know the person.
3. ADD THEM AS FRIENDS
After steps 1 and 2 were successful, you may now become come friends. Before adding anyone, please remember to ask them if it is ok to add them as a friend, or ask them if they wanna be friends. This is common courtesy, also sometimes having a good conversation doesn't means that the person wants to be your friend.
If all these 3 steps worked you have successfully made a friend in Second Life and I hope this these steps helped 🙂.
😊STAY WONDERFUL😊
Note: these steps will not guarantee that you will make friends right away. If starting a conversation with someone and you feel uncomfortable, you have all rights to walk away from that person. Protect your personal information as much as possible, and if anyone harasses you or makes any sexual advancement towards you that makes you feel uncomfortable, report them to Linden Labs, block them and walk away from that person.