where to look for friends?

[bartholomew]

hi I was wondering if you could help me

I do not want to sound big headed or anything like that, but i find it difficult to find friends. (I am very sociable and friendly).
Basically I have my own rules for example I am not affluenza stricken (which means that I am not a great fun of going out and any consumer events during which you are subject to layers of advertising designed to stoke your desire for more products, i do not watch tv either as it is filled with ever more mediocre filler programmes inserted between ever more cheeky tv commercials).

There are things that i like doing (and going to the gym i.e turning your body into another consumer product) is not up my street either) reading, travelling, going for walks in the countryside, music etc.

I really do not know where to find any friends. Am I a weirdo? whjat do you think?

[~Wingnut~]

Hi bartholomew :o)

Your not a weirdo at all lol (well except for the no TV rule! as Joey in 'Friends' (although you won't have seen it if you don't watch telly!) would say "What's all your furniture pointed at?") you just have different interests to what the majority of people tend to do and good on you!

Have you thought of looking to see if there are any groups local such as reading groups, hiking groups etc? We were on a family bike ride the other Saturday and a group of cyclists stopped us and gave us a leaflet for their cycling group it was open to all!! Would that kind of thing interest you?
If you look in your local paper there should be a section of different local groups, there could be something there you could join.

Quit thinking your a weirdo!!!! Get out there and good luck :o)

[weeal]

WEll said wingnut, 'course your not a weirdo! I never really watch telly either so cant join in wi the conversations at work etc about soaps n stuff but Im glad of that. I read, I use the computer, walk, listen to music etc and, yes its hard to find a similar minded friend, but I'd rather be me than anyone else. Leisure type clubs are a good idea. What about volunteering for the National Trust or something? They go out on weekends, doing voluntar work such as gardening, dry stone dyking etc, and are a really friendly bunch of people. They provide lunch and transport too.

[cruella]

Hi, no you are not weird.
Why not join some night classes when the Autumn comes in. You can choose anything that you are interested in. Good way of meeting people who have the same interests as yourself
Good Luck!

[garner]

Hi there Im with cruella why not try night school there are plenty of classes on differentt subjects to pick from and you will met people of similar interests...go for it, you will enjoy it to.Good luck .

[cambus]

Why not take a trip over to Body & Soul, they are a real friendly bunch over there and you won't find a weirdo in sight.

[mibn2cweus]

If you're really not a weirdo than why not just hang out here with the rest of us three eyed two headed people . . .

. . . or is that just me?

[leelapops]

Oh no, don't be sucked in by myths about B&S!!! ;)
bartholomew, all good ideas, and wingnut I am giggling away at your quote!

We have a local under-30s walking club that I would like to join with my dog for weekend walks. I hate the gym, but would like to keep fit. Look in supermarkets (on the buy/sell boards) and in local windows.

[oxfordrocks]

^^^^^plenty of walking groups around the country, visit http://www.ramblers.org.uk and search for the nearest.

If you are a man, try going down your local pub/club and flashing the cash you'll soon find plenty of female companionship ;)