Ideas to get out of house and make local friends?

Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (Full Version)

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pahunkboy -> Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/12/2009 7:52:24 PM)
Why not ask? I sure don't know it all. Throw some ideas out. Maybe someone will be helped. Ideas to get out of the house and meet people- I don't mean being alone in a big crowd- and I don't mean trouble. I tried a depression support group. Frankly it did not work because no one there wanted to improve their life. If I go to a bar- I end up stuck with the drunk. I don't fit in to many places. The country is designed more for shopping- not really hanging out. But ok- lets assume 10 folks on the board here- would like to build up a better friend base, throw out some ideas. What comes to mind? How did you meet your 3 closest friends? What do you do on your free time? What comes natural for you? What pops into your mind?

ThatDamnedPanda -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/12/2009 8:17:43 PM)
What are your interests, besides buying silver and putting up with all of us dorks here on the internet? Have any hobbies? I get the impression you like to do at least some physically active stuff; didn't you say something once about bicycling? You could join a bike club. Otr a rollerblading club. Or a whatever club. Almost any activity you like to do, someone somewhere has started a club around it. And if they haven't gotten around to it yet, you can do it yourself. You like to read, right? Join a book club! Have a favorite cause? Non-profits and other groups can always use a few more volunteers, and not only do you come away feeling good about helping out with something that's important to you, it's a terrific way to meet other people who are interested in the same things you are. Got 100 bucks you don't need to buy silver? Take a class at a local writing school. Pull up the website for your local park system. Most cities' park systems have seminars and excursions planned at various parks all summer long - birdwatching, the secret lives of raccoons, name it. It's the sort of thing that even if you don't make any friends, it's a fun way to spend a day, it broadens your horizons and makes you a more interesting conversationalist at the next social event you attend, and it helps ease you back into going out and meeting strangers. Got a laptop? Like coffee? Find a funky bohemian coffeeshop somewhere in an interesting neighborhood and start hanging out there for a couple of hours every 2 or 3 days, surf the net with their wireless connection, and use the stuff you come across as conversation starters with people who are sitting near you. I dunno. Any of this help?

winterlight -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/12/2009 8:23:58 PM)
agrees with Panda...same things i would have suggested... learn something new.....travel...

ShaharThorne -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/12/2009 8:26:28 PM)
Panda has covered it for me but I am in the same boat. When I get my license, I plan to volunteer at our Safe-t women's shelter or at the local mental health facility.

lighthearted -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/12/2009 9:54:02 PM)
I met my closest friends in school, and through my hobbies. take a class in something you really enjoy, you are bound to meet one or two people whom you feel you'd like to continue being friends with after class is over. hope that helps.

aravain -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/12/2009 10:53:18 PM)
~FR~ I met all my closest friends in (or as a direct result of) a chatroom for our school. Most of them I'd never take a class with. Too bad my current school's not as tech-savvy

PyrotheClown -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/12/2009 11:21:40 PM)
Fer....fer....Fur-ends......Friends ..What are these F-f-friends you speak of

slaveboyforyou -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/13/2009 12:24:23 AM)
quote: What comes to mind? I'm a bit of a loner, I don't socialize much. But I do like to play pool and go bowling, so I run into folks here and there. I like to go to lectures when it's a topic that interests me, I meet folks at those. quote: How did you meet your 3 closest friends? I dated one, I went to high school with the others. My best friend I have known since the 2nd grade. We are both busy (he just got a divorce, has 2 kids, and works 2 jobs), so we don't see each other much. quote: What do you do on your free time? I read a lot, I go play pool or bowl, I go fishing a lot, and I take a stab at different hobbies here and there. quote: What comes natural for you? Sarcasm and cynicism, LOL. It's probably why I'm not a big people person. quote: What pops into your mind? 100 different things a minute.

TANTRADD -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/13/2009 1:00:17 AM)
I have met ppl at workshops such as meditation and drumming..( so an interest you have) I have met ppl at Gallery openings and art exhibitions..so again an interest I have.. One of my closet friends I met at an art gallery 18 years ago.. I have met ppl by volunteering at events..such as door person or hug person at an event for a 12 Step group. Mainly it is about just about getting out there...and common interests..moms and dads meet others in the park sometimes..pool players meet the same..or hobbiests as well. Music events are where you find those with a common interest as well Coffee shops can be good where there is an internet. I go to poetry readings or local discussion gorups once in a while.. YOU MAY want to step OUT of your comfort zone too and take a class like drumming or yoga or a sport( golf?) you have not tried and you will meet ppl there too. I met a GROUP that was very close for years thru TAI CHI..we had potlucks every Sunday,movie nights and camped together and had pool parties. IN my free time I am in nature as much as possible..I paint and draw..and attend gallery and msuic events. 3 closest.. 1) kindergarten to now 2)Gallery opening 3) dinner with a friend who brought a friend T

littlewonder -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/13/2009 7:05:03 AM)
www.meetup.com I belong to a group there and we do all kinds of things together like going on rafting trips, going to events together, the movies, plays, festivals, travel, etc...met a lot of nice people through there. I also have met people just by being friendly...talking in a line at the grocery store, bumping into someone on the street, things like that. Just strike up conversations. I've met more amazing people that way than any other way I can think of. Go to the local festivals and events. Join a class that interests you at the local community college. My best of best friends is well...Master...I met him here lol. I met my best local friend through our children who are both the same age and go to the same school. My other one I met at a bar and my best friend was flirting with him and we both ended up befriending him. Most of my free time these days is spent working on my home to get it ready to sell in the near future, attending local events, hanging out with my best friend doing all kinds of different things or spending time with Master or my child or both.

FawneTwo -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/13/2009 10:40:23 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: littlewonder www.meetup.com I belong to a group there and we do all kinds of things together like going on rafting trips, going to events together, the movies, plays, festivals, travel, etc...met a lot of nice people through there. I like this one too. Thanks littlewonder :-) for sharing.

sirsholly -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/13/2009 10:48:46 AM)
Contact your local Community College for info on the different classes they offer. It does not have to have anything to do with college credits...just fun! A course in landscaping, cooking, painting, etc.

brandi1379 -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/13/2009 11:22:00 AM)
take a class on something your interested in, join a bookclub, im sure they have lots of classes and the local community center or library

aravain -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/13/2009 3:36:10 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: littlewonder www.meetup.com I belong to a group there and we do all kinds of things together like going on rafting trips, going to events together, the movies, plays, festivals, travel, etc...met a lot of nice people through there. This is awesome! I joined a couple local groups and I'm planning on going to meetups as early as later this week :) Thanks Littlewonder :D

oceanwinds -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/13/2009 3:45:32 PM)
I love the library. I don't own a car nor drive. Moving to Florida and not knowing anyone, I had to force myself to take buses. I still have a residue of agoraphobia, but i push myself. You know what else I like to do? I love going to a store and smiling at people. So many people are lonely, and a smile just bightens up their day. I work from home and put in many hours, so I am in most of the time. It doesnt really bother me because I adore being home. I am sure there is some nature around you why not go outside and sit in the ground. If i remember correctly you are growing flowers, why not pick a few and just hand them to a stranger. Make life not about you, but about being part of the ALL. Embrace life and just go out and smile.

pahunkboy -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/13/2009 5:31:00 PM)
Wow. Some great ideas. The local mall has classes. Good for humid days. I hadn't thought of wireless laptop at a coffee shop. I love that idea. I usually do the crime watch on my mountain bike. The tire is flat right now... and my back wrenched. But I love being in town zip over to the river- and I am fast. I could do so with or with out the orange vest. One gets cat calls and silly comments- but I love the "holy cow" look on a potential thugs face when they are not able to count just how many are on the crime watch! It is 8PM. I just got up. My day and night is mixed up...for now. I think I like it better when I am up at 6 am. I get more done!!

ThatDamnedPanda -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/13/2009 10:48:22 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: pahunkboy I hadn't thought of wireless laptop at a coffee shop. I love that idea. I thought you might like that. Works a treat for me! i tend to be really shy when trying to meet strangers, and having a laptop gives me something to focus my attention on other than the fact that I'm surrounded by strangers. Good luck, PA. I hope some of these ideas work for you. You're really a great guy, and I can't imagine you having too much trouble getting people to warm up to you when they meet you.

ThatDamnedPanda -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/13/2009 11:03:33 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: aravain quote: ORIGINAL: littlewonder www.meetup.com I belong to a group there and we do all kinds of things together like going on rafting trips, going to events together, the movies, plays, festivals, travel, etc...met a lot of nice people through there. This is awesome! I joined a couple local groups and I'm planning on going to meetups as early as later this week :) Thanks Littlewonder :D Isn't she amazing? I can't believe she doesn't have an official fan club here. I'd join up just to get regular e-mail updates on her latest bright ideas. I just checked out that site, and am already going to a meetup of a local Buddhist group this week, plus have some info on hiking and canoeing groups. Thanks, Little Wonder, I don't know where this site would be without you.

aravain -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/13/2009 11:12:33 PM)
She is pretty awesome :) You know, you could start the fan club... but you'd have to be president. And write those emails.

CatdeMedici -> RE: Ideas to get out of house and make local friends? (6/14/2009 5:11:25 AM)
I'm probably not the best person to respond here, because I am sure I have way different views but here goes: First, you have to be able to WANT to tolerate people for starters--I find most people lacking to be polite--and loaded with so much drama, I am simply not interested-- My dearest friends came like this: Met her through work when she was in the UK, we struck an infinity, 9 years later, she is married to an American and living in Idaho, we talk everyday and have for 9 years. My stable owner, she is 18 years My junior, we have a symbiotic relationship, but I am one of the few people who doesn't judge her. My male best friends, one here, met through work, adore the man, and he Me, stayed with him through a nasty divorce, we don't chat often but we do holler for help when we need something and we are there. Two in Atlanta, a female I met through work I adore, we have a standing weekly call, trade presents all year long and send flower bulbs back and forth--the other, met here, he tought we weren't suited, we stayed friends, I stayed with him through some intense personal journeys--he surfaces on occasion--LOL but I know when I hit the road in his direction, he makes time for us to laugh. My 19 UM, she rocks. No I don't do bars, etc, I DO have "friends" at the grocery, the mechanic, the horse trainers, the tatoo parlor---why because I am selective, why because I am a regular and some people have an affinity--the rest of humanity, I could care less about. Don't want someone in My pocket all the time, like it to be on My terms and that doesn't suit many people and I live life My way which wrankles the masses.

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