Meeting like-minded people

Wombat · Post: # 81709Post **Wombat** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:20 am

Well you're all welcome to move over here to Sydney

Most of my friends understand that I am a SSish sort of weirdo, and put up with me anyway, but having said that we don't really have stacks of CLOSE friends. Mrs Wombat would probably qualify as the closest - to quote Homer Simpson - "It's like being married to my best friend, and he lets me play with his boobs!"

And just for the record, when I met Mrs Wombat the internet was not even a twinkle in it's progenitors eye!

Nev

Millymollymandy · Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:06 am

Can I join the Billy No Mates Club too?

Now most of the people over 70 who live around here live this kind of life because that's what French country folk do, but that's not really the point. I hardly ever see them anyway and with another language, it just isn't the same.

I can go for weeks on end with just my husband and the animals to talk to! He seems to be perfectly happy but I feel that we/I ought to see more of other people, but how to meet them?

ina · Post: # 81721Post **ina** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:22 am

Annpan wrote: I think that Neeps is great, maybe you should franchise it Shirlz

I'll have to pass that on to her - don't think she's read it yet - she'll be tickled! Yes, I think it's great because it's not just internet - we do meet personally a lot, and help each other, when needed, or just socialise...

room101 · Post: # 81732Post **room101** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:54 am

Millymollymandy wrote:Can I join the Billy No Mates Club too? Now most of the people over 70 who live around here live this kind of life because that's what French country folk do, but that's not really the point. I hardly ever see them anyway and with another language, it just isn't the same. I can go for weeks on end with just my husband and the animals to talk to! He seems to be perfectly happy but I feel that we/I ought to see more of other people, but how to meet them?

We had a wonderful holiday in Brittany in 2006, and was amazed by the amount of expats living there. will be going again this year to stay at a gite near Rostrenen and visit the friends we made last time we were there...

QuakerBear · Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:49 pm

1. Nev, you have exactly the same approach as Mr. QB, lol.

2. Hampster, big hug . You're not on your own, I know exactly how you feel. You do have options though, and I'd recomend a combination of them. Keep going as you are, trying different groups, you never know you might meet a great friend there. As Stonehead says you can still have fun and be fullfilled with a more limited social circle. Enjoy being with yourself, get on with doing and being what you enjoy and never mind anyone else (especially those who think you're odd, they're just jelous). The other thing is, if you're of a religious persuasion at all, find your local group. A religious group will often feel more secure so people are less defensive and more likely to make close friend (just remember not to give them all your money and go and live in a cave).

3. Another big hug.

gigglybug · Post: # 81742Post **gigglybug** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:01 pm

I have the same situation, I moved here about 5 years ago and have yet to meet like minded people, I met my BF within a couple of months of being here, so it wasn't so bad at first, but I have never really clicked with his friends, now I have a toddler and getting out to meet people is almost impossible, i have a few people that I talk to a toddler group, but they just don't get it.

Unfortunately neither does BF which i'm finding kinda hard at the mo.

Does anyone else have this?

room101 · Post: # 81743Post **room101** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:05 pm

gigglybug wrote: Unfortunately neither does BF which i'm finding kinda hard at the mo. Does anyone else have this?

Yep the rest of my family seem to have their heads in the sand most of the time.

QuakerBear · Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:05 pm

My family and work mates don't get it either. They either find me anoying becuase I don't conform or they tease me for being, "a loon".

But then it could be an awful lot worse.....

I rather like being different.

hamster · Post: # 81770Post **hamster** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:51 pm

Thanks everyone for your support. It's nice to know I'm not alone! I do agree that it is possible to be very happy and fulfilled and carry on doing your own thing (as Stonehead said) without worrying about other people, but sometimes it would be nice to have someone to natter to about life, love and the state of the world who didn't look at you a bit funny when you say you like knitting...

In the meantime, the internet is a wonderful, wonderful thing....

Green Rosie · Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:09 pm

So when our gites are finally up and running you know where to come for a holiday and a good natter to like-minded people

. And even before then if you fancy a working holiday there are loads of jobs here

Likewise MMM - we are not that far away if you fancy a trip into Calvados ....

eccentric_emma · Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:23 pm

Tomr wrote:Maybe we should start a SS dating service!

Or maybe more practical would be a register of people looking to meet others (for friendship, romance or free loan of garden tools) in their area.
A list organized by region or county would be easy to do. Thoughts?

I was just thinking the same thing. At least we could do a thread where by we put details (that we are comfortable with) with the sort of people we are looking for etc etc and then people could PM you, you could swap more details and decide to meet if you want.

eccentric_emma · Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:26 pm

Hamster: have you tried looking for a local Friends of the Earth group? you can find them via their website - not strictly self sufficientish but is linked and likely you'd find like minded people there.

Milims · Post: # 81801Post **Milims** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:27 pm

GR - that sounds so very tempting!! We'd love to buy a property in France to do up - but we are just sooooo scared!

ina · Post: # 81806Post **ina** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:23 pm

hamster wrote:who didn't look at you a bit funny when you say you like knitting...

I think people are funny who don't knit their own socks!

A friend of mine (who really doesn't share many of my hobbies, but is still a good friend!) always asks why I bother: it's so much cheaper to buy them... But then she admits that come the next war (or equally disastrous event) I'll be the one who'll be comfortable, because I can make so many things myself!

Millymollymandy · Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:10 pm

Green Rosie wrote:So when our gites are finally up and running you know where to come for a holiday and a good natter to like-minded people . And even before then if you fancy a working holiday there are loads of jobs here

Likewise MMM - we are not that far away if you fancy a trip into Calvados ....

Well I might take you up on that one of these days - I haven't been to Normandy for a while and I'm getting withdrawal symptoms

.

I'm very lucky with family as nobody thinks we are wierd - the older generation have all lived through the war and were used to their parents growing veg/having hens and ducks etc. My mum knits and keeps nagging at me to start again.

The only nag I have with them when they are here is leaving lights on and filling up the kettle too full! The younger generation are really happy to receive my home grown veg or jam etc.

Maybe it's because none of us are from big towns/cities?

Also a lot of my friends who I write to at Xmas think our lifestyle sounds idyllic and all wish they could do the same thing!

Oh and I am going out on Sunday - we have an annual hamlet get-together which started a couple of summers ago, and as there is some money left in the kitty we are having a 'crepe afternoon'!