Anonymous
Post 01/03/2013 10:59     Subject: Are you still open to new friends?
Interesting topic, I thought it was my personality that was at fault, since I have had poor luck making friends. I make a effort to ask about the other person, stay away from sensitive topics, etc., and still no luck. An it may be my personality, but its good to know there are others in the same boat!
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2013 09:40     Subject: Re:Are you still open to new friends?
I find it odd that so many people feel like work is an off-limits topic for discussion with potential friends. I find the DC area to be full of people with fascinating jobs and I'm very interested in hearing about what they do. One of my son's school friends has a mom who is a museum curator, another works for an environmental conservation non-profit, and another works in a Congressman's office. Unlike other areas of the country, many people here in DC chose their profession because they are passionate about it and it makes them who they are.

Maybe there lies the difficulty in making friends -not wanting to hear details that are so fundamental to the people you meet.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2013 22:11     Subject: Re:Are you still open to new friends?
Anonymous wrote:I am open to new friends and wish I had more, but I find that people already have all their friends and don't seem to have room or time for another one. I feel this is the case because people I meet are always talking about all the things they are doing with their friends. I have experienced this a number of times since moving here and it is very depressing. None of my friendships has moved beyond a superficial stage, i.e., one in which our only connection is through our kids' school or sports team, which means that when that connection is gone, the "friendship" is gone too.


Know it is NOT you.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2013 22:08     Subject: Are you still open to new friends?
Anonymous wrote:At this stage in your life are you happy with the friends you already have? Are you pleasant to new people you meet but don't want to make the effort to get to know them any more than superficially?
I ask because I am relatively new to DC (from Europe) and I find that many women I meet that are my age are very open and friendly when we meet but don't seem to want to take the friendship beyond the superficial level even if we meet on a fairly regular basis such as kid's school or church. As a result, while I have made friends, they are mostly on average 5-15 years my junior. I sometimes crave the friendships of women of a similar age to me but it seems they are more settled in the friendships they already have.

What say you?


The DC area is home of the 'let's do lunch' crowd. I'm from New England, as we form bonds. I've been here 28 years and while I have a few people I call friends, only two I can really consider long-time friends. One is 15 years my senior.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2013 21:54     Subject: Re:Are you still open to new friends?
I am open to new friends and wish I had more, but I find that people already have all their friends and don't seem to have room or time for another one. I feel this is the case because people I meet are always talking about all the things they are doing with their friends. I have experienced this a number of times since moving here and it is very depressing. None of my friendships has moved beyond a superficial stage, i.e., one in which our only connection is through our kids' school or sports team, which means that when that connection is gone, the "friendship" is gone too.
Anonymous
Post 11/06/2012 01:37     Subject: Are you still open to new friends?
Anonymous wrote:I just moved to the area, and I have had a hard time making friends. I have lots of acquaintances, but most of the women my age are settled into their own friendships, and don't seem to have room for a new one with me. I feel sad about it, but there's not much I can do about it. Old friends are nice because there's no getting to know you stuff. You just jump right in where you left off, even if it was 20 years ago. Unfortunately all of my friends live in other cities, too far away to get together for coffee or lunch. I think this will change in time, as I get to know people better, but I'll have to endure it for the moment, alas.


Do stay in touch with the old friends by e mail & other media. Easier now than it used to be. That will sustain you somewhat as you seek new friends where you are.

A couple of towns near where I grew up were hard places to make friends & one was a college town. You would think the opposite there. I went there to drink a few times & no one was rude but they just didn't need any new friends or even drinking buddies. The other was a small city where most people knew each other & there were 3-4 social classes. Friendships could happen there but it took awhile. That's been a few decades, may be different now.