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[–][deleted]  (3 children)

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    [–][deleted]  (1 child)

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      [–]VioletRemi 10 insightful - 1 fun10 insightful - 0 fun11 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

      I actually don't know, was not able to make new friends in last 10-ish years, but this forum helped me to find one!

      [–]yayblueberries 9 insightful - 1 fun9 insightful - 0 fun10 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

      All the things I did where I made friends is not possible thanks to the quarantines. I made friends by spending numerous hours in coffeeshops; going to local free music shows at a pub; going on "field trip" nature walks that I found led by others; I almost got into a knitting/crochet group as a result of a woman randomly talking to me in one of those coffeeshops (that happened right before everything got shut down). I'm strongly introverted and these were the things that worked for me; mileage may vary for somebody more outgoing.

      [–]sootsprite 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

      Do strangers really just randomly strike up a conversation in coffee shops? That seems so odd to me

      [–]yayblueberries 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

      I've had people ask or talk to me about a book I'm reading in there, or if I have my laptop sometimes I work on photos I've taken which are all nature-based and people notice and talk to me about those. I've also had conversations about the weather, local events, local music, or the new art hanging on the walls in the coffeeshop. I've also had where I've visited coffeeshops in very tiny towns and people there know you're not from the area because you're not a familiar face, that's how I got invited to the knitting group!

      [–]Gearbeta 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

      Occasionally it happens. Like if something unusual is happening at that moment people might talk to each other about it. Like for example of the weather has been really hot lately its pretty common for people standing in a line to comment to each other about it and there's a slight chance from there they might have something in common and they talk further. I've actually had some interesting conversations sitting in waiting rooms for doctors offices, car repair shops or dunkin donuts that way.

      [–]TheHighPriestess 8 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 0 fun9 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

      The best of friends I've made have always been through work. I know for many that wouldn't be ideal or even safe which I understand, especially if the work is especially competitive, but in the positions I've had over the years I've always been able to develop real friendships with my co-workers. Especially in the line of work I'm in now, where it's absolutely necessary to commiserate or we'd all go insane. Builds real camaraderie.

      [–]whateverman 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

      Frequent coincidental contact is the way. Just be somewhere a lot and you're likely to make a friend there. Work is the easiest place to make friends. Even if you work remotely you can go to some kind of co-working space you're going to meet new people. Anything outside of that requires you to make a regular commitment. University, religious services, volunteering, sports teams, weekly meet-up groups or anything else that requires you to make a consistent effort.

      Dates are more clear because you schedule them with the person you're seeing until you no longer need to schedule in seeing one another. Friendships are different. If you make one of those personal ads seeking friends, it'll be harder to connect after one meet up.

      [–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

      I met my newer adult friends because we all have the same common interests. When I moved back home my friend conned me into helping her teach lessons at her barn a few days a week, one of the groups slots she gave me was for women over the age of 40.

      [–]CHI_burbs_LEZ 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

      Say Hi and introduce yourself.

      I’m 38F, from the NW burbs of Chicago, I coached hockey for ten years, entertained kiddos at the boys and girls club in New Mexico for a few years, traveled crossed country for a few months, and find myself turning the page to start the next chapter of this adventure we call life. Nice to meet you all.