The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
How do I Social Network...Better?
npreecs
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Hey!
So I moved to Austin about a year ago and am doing pretty well, so far. I'm employed well and have a house now and all is going swimmingly...except I don't seem to be making many friends. I work at a smallish company with a lot of other fellow engineers, most of whom I know at this point, but outside of work, I don't seem to be meeting a lot of people. I could kick off a short list of interests, games (shocker!), martial arts, writing music, etc, and I know enough about meeting people to know that the best way, usually, is just to go out and do things you enjoy, and then say hi to the people that are doing those things along with you, but it doesn't seem to be working for me too well.
So here's the question: any ideas of ways I could find people that I share an interest with? I've been poking around meetup.com but haven't found any groups that I could click with. Are there any other sources for information like this? Some sort of craigslist board I haven't seen before? What's a good place to start?
Oh, and since I'm here, if any Austin-based PA-peeps want to say hi and meet a fellow Austinite, drop me a line.
-N
So I moved to Austin about a year ago and am doing pretty well, so far. I'm employed well and have a house now and all is going swimmingly...except I don't seem to be making many friends. I work at a smallish company with a lot of other fellow engineers, most of whom I know at this point, but outside of work, I don't seem to be meeting a lot of people. I could kick off a short list of interests, games (shocker!), martial arts, writing music, etc, and I know enough about meeting people to know that the best way, usually, is just to go out and do things you enjoy, and then say hi to the people that are doing those things along with you, but it doesn't seem to be working for me too well.
So here's the question: any ideas of ways I could find people that I share an interest with? I've been poking around meetup.com but haven't found any groups that I could click with. Are there any other sources for information like this? Some sort of craigslist board I haven't seen before? What's a good place to start?
Oh, and since I'm here, if any Austin-based PA-peeps want to say hi and meet a fellow Austinite, drop me a line.
-N
Xbox Live: Spunkrake -- Looking to build a friend list!
npreecs on
0
Posts
Anyone have any ideas on how to meet neighbors? I've definitely said hi from across the fence to the adjacent ones, but does anyone have any ideas about meeting more of them? Maybe put out a sign that says FREE COOKIES FOR NEIGHBORS TODAY? To see who shows up?
-N
e: Of course, I don't mean having one single long, epic conversation to rival all other casual conversations.
Kind of like others have said, put yourself out there, but don't force yourself on people.
Whereabouts are you in town? If you like comics/games or anything and you're north of campus there are lots of places to hang out and chat with similarly-minded folks. Dragon's Lair, Austin Books both come to mind. Assuming they still exist; it HAS been 5+ years since I lived there.
Thanks for the hints, grungebox. I'll try and check those places out.
How do you go about inviting neighbors you've never met before? Do you think just walking up to the house on a saturday afternoon and saying "Hey, I'm a neighbor, bbq tonight if you want to come, hope to meet you, etc" is low enough on the creepy scale?
-N
But in real life you write music? What kind of music? Do you play guitar or something? You could probably go to some place where they sell guitars and hang around. Go to whatever the local meet new people place is. Coffee shops maybe?
but they're listening to every word I say
Check out the volunteer groups. I found those to be some of the better ones on that site.
Well there were a few that sort of pinged my interest. Nothing "Fireworks in my Brain" awesome or anything, but some worth a second look. I may yet try some of them out. But that does bring up another good idea. Volunteering. I'll bet there's habitat for humanity or some other volunteer group where I could not only meet people but lend a helping hand. Michelle Obama insisted!
Okay, then, here's one more idea to ping off yous guys. How are sites like facebook and <shudder> myspace for actually meeting people? I'm imagining using the site to find people that are maybe nearby and maybe share interests with me and using it as an jumping off point to the real goal, which is meeting people. Has that ever worked for anyone, or am I dreaming crazy internet fantasies?
-N
Sites like facebook and myspace are really more tools people use to communicate with current friends. The term 'social-networking' may glorify the idea of meeting people online and building a nice social circle, but I really doubt many people use it for this at all. I use facebook to stay in touch with my friends or maybe get to know people better that i've met recently, so it's good in that respect.
You seem to have a good and ready attitude about meeting new people however, which is a good thing! A lot of people in your position would shy away from sunlight and die in a corner alone, you're positive attitude is commendable. : )