Not necessarily a debate... if you have a conversation or otherwise with somebody, then talk to them on their profile and, mayhaps, add them as a friend.
Well, there's that, or just talking to people over the messenger, conversing through threads and such. If you want a friend, just get to know some people.
Yeah id like to add to what donpiet said...plus also if you just start posting and chatting with people in a post then go to their profile and get to know them better and from that you got a friend...
Most of my friends were made from debating. Others are from having common ground, like religion or political preferences. This thread belongs in the Newcomer forum.