This is a place to share greentexts and witness the confounding life of Anon. If you're new to the Greentext community, think of it as a sort of zoo with Anon as the main attraction.
Be warned:
If you find yourself getting angry (or god forbid, agreeing) with something Anon has said, you might be doing it wrong.
I had a friend who tried the same thing, bars and such. He didn't try anybody in his friend group and he was more ir less isolated at work, so there was no real pool of people to look into. I suggested getting a cheap seat at the ballpark and he balked saying he didn't like sports. I told him even if he walked the concourse, there were still folks he could interact with. He ended up finding some girl who was an actual prostitute and got him hooked on drugs.
I go out and interact with strangers all the time, make acquaintances and friends, and when I was interested, even met women to date. I'm autistic, awkward, and have anxiety. If I can do it, most neurotypicals should be able to as well. I think the problem most people have is that they expect things to happen instantaneously. It takes time to build rapport with an individual or group, but consistency is key. You'll often be surprised by the people who look forward to seeing you.
I'm part of a social activity meetup group that also does a bit of volunteer stuff for folks In need. I'm already with someone but I've watched people meet and pair off in that group several times. It happens.
If you smell shit everywhere you go, check your shoes.
Probably one of the most socially friendly places I recall in recent years was a CrossFit gym. I know people shit in them as being full of cultish twats, and to some extent I won't argue that, but compared to a standard gym there's quite a 'us' rather than 'me' vibe to it. Find those kind of places where people look to support and improve each other rather than show off what they know or can do.
Though I'm about the least socially apt person around one thing that really has stuck out to me, don't go there with a goal other than to do the thing. If you go with the goal of a date you're gonna be disappointed, go with the intent of doing what you like instead.
Ireland is the only place where pubs are actual genuine places to meet and chat with strangers. And even then it can be difficult. Came back to France after 13 years and I was just flabbergasted at the difference. Everyone is out with their little group and no one seems to talk with anyone outside that little sphere. Only spot where it's socially acceptable to engage strangers is the counter itself and that's about it; and if you do it feels like you're a freak, honestly. I tried a few times to just meet people that way, and gave up.
Only way that worked for me was joining a hobby or sport or some other group like that. Volleyball got me a job within like two weeks of joining! Couchsurfing got me great friends, girlfriends and eventually my wife.
America in general has become just a hostile place to live and interact in. I think people really underestimate how detrimental to ones mental health living in a country that allows people to own guns is and it's a rl big tragedy. I think it's the biggest difference between u.s and other countries and it shows culturally. If we got rid of all guns in the U.S. we would probably win the world cup and no one would even come close.
To be clear... you're afraid to talk to people because guns exist? If this is true, you may need to speak to someone about this professionally.
Actually, yeah, if you try to talk to someone's girlfriend in the wrong place you probably won't get shot, but you would be in pretty big danger. Violence is extremely prevalent in the u.s.
Sort of reductive.
Violence is bad in America. People feel it appropriate to start arguments about politics in public with strangers. Those people are allowed to have guns on them and in their cars. An angry person with a gun on their hip is just different.
Thats just as a man too, women deal with worse, and I would argue even have a reason to need a gun themselves in some situations.
Its violent all around here and it comes from regular ass people, like your neighbors.
Idk, I’ve made lots of friends at bars and pubs in the US
That's good to hear!
Yeah, my experience, too. People hang out with their friends in their friend groups. Just sucks that they don't seem to mix anymore. Networking doesn't work if there's neither opportunity nor interest.
Legit though, why be rude to a fellow for rolling up politely as a dude? Like, if he's hitting on you and it isn't welcome, you tell them up bugger off politely. But just someone looking for some conversation? Man, I actually dislike strangers in general, I've got PTSD issues. But I still wouldn't automatically push the guy away without a solid explanation. And I'm actually known for being blunt about things in public. But when you go to some places, including bars, there's an assumption that it's a shared space and you treat other people as well as they'll allow.
Like, if you aren't willing to be polite and at least explain why a stranger isn't welcome in your group, maybe a bar isn't the best place to meet up? Nobody is obligated to welcome them in with open arms if they don't want to, but you do it nicely because that's a fellow human being trying to be social and friendly. You say, "hey man, sorry, this is an in group situation, we're here as an established group doing our thing." You don't dis them, you don't act like they're bad for looking at you and your group and thinking "maybe those dudes could be cool to hang with". That's a good thing if someone thinks you and your crew are interesting.
I dunno, maybe I'm fucking weird, but as much as I hate crowded places, and dislike random contact, I can't think of a single time where I would have rejected someone without a friendly explanation why.
We gotta be better to each other. We don't all hang the be friends, but we can be nice about it, can't we?
This dude is clearly looking to get laid and I bet it's very clear from the way he approaches people. You're assuming they aren't creeping.
Bruh just find a group activity - fuck I don't know, instead of paying $30 for a beer, take a painting class or something..
Church events work fine, too. My buddy and me went to one in a damp basement and it was about 30 people. 100% women. Average age about 22 I guess. All were dancing. They all immediately started staring at us as if we were edible. Within the hour, my buddy met what would soon become his GF, and I was approached by this amazing girl. I then went on a string of remarkable dates with her.
The kicker: It was a Christian event, but the girls we hooked up with weren't Christians at all.
Just did a class and I was the only guy in it.
It was a welding class.
... Maybe choose floristry next time?
Studied electronic engineering for two years - the group I went in was like 111 dudes and 7 girls. Some dudes enrolled in electives from faculties like nursery or dentistry because the boys/girls ratio there was inversely proportional as in our faculty.
... Have you gone to a painting class? It's only couples
Hey, my wife and I noticed you from across the canvas and just really like your vibe.
The local city reddit/discord is gonna have regular hangouts if your city is big enough. That's been my go-to starting point everytime I move.
I managed to get an in-person DND group going by visiting the local game store. There's also the other card / roleplay games available too.
Depending on your age, there's also the local college groups. You could join a cycling group, or a running geoup. Hell, the queer group in my town has a first Sunday coffee meetup.
It's easy to shut down any suggestions but damn, if all you ever do is naysay shit, then you're never gonna get anywhere. Do you want to find friends and romantic partners, or do you want to spend your time crapping on online dating?
The local city reddit/discord is gonna have regular hangouts if your city is big enough.
The problem with that is you're going to meet reddit/discord people that way.
For what it's worth, r/Bogota has never had those - and if it had, it would be just incels living with their mommy who barely know their own neighborhood. It's ridiculous how they're so detached from the reality of our city and country.
Surprisingly, real world isn't world of Warcraft, people won't have marks over their heads indicating something to you
They should.
Because women aren't objects to play for and win like a prize in a claw machine. They're people who have thoughts and wants and desires and aren't interested in being treated like an object to be possessed while they're out having fun. If you walk up and you're obviously looking to find something to be romantically interested in, and they want to get to know people like people before anything romantic, you're not going to have any luck. Like a bunch of the other comments said, go find something that you enjoy doing and get to know the people there as humans. Talk about your shared interest, about your goals and wants and desires for your life outside of a romantic partner, and ask them about the same. Surprisingly, once you stop treating women like fresh meat on a savannah and actually try to get to know who they are as people, they stop being so freaked out and might actually be interested in getting to know you as a person.
I met my wife at a bar. We've been married 4 years now.
She walked in alone, looking beautiful. Made up, red lipstick, hot dress.
I was shooting pool in the back with some friends before we head to our friends dj set. She sat down in the front, nearly by the door. I handed my cue off to someone and said shoot for me, I need to take care of something.
As I walk towards her, I can see every other single dude, and the not single dudes, and a couple of ladies eyeballing her. I walked with such momentum that anyone considering trying to make the move had already yielded. I walked with such confidence they probably thought I was already with her.
I sit next to her and start chatting. Ask if I can buy her a drink. Introduce myself. Ask what she's up to. Turns out she's trying to go dancing. She was supposed to meet a friend who was running late, but the dance club accross the street they were going to had closed suddenly a few days prior.
It just so happened that my buddy was DJing the best, sold out, ballroom dance party that night. And I was on the list.
We have a few drinks and chat, convince her to come with us if she's trying to dance. She gets in the Uber with some of my other friends I was shooting pool with and I. The friends there and candid vibe set her at ease, it is a little crazy to jump in a Uber with someone you met 30 minutes ago after all.
I get to look so cool when I tell the bouncer I'm on the list, but there must be a mistake I should be listed for a +1 too. No problem, we both get in. It's litterally the best dance party I've been too. We dance, make out, the rest is history.