How to meet people your own age?

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ManiaStar

Senior Member
Nov 14, 2015
381
29
28
#1
I've been using online dating sites to make friends w/ people. I'm not yet ready to go on a date and try to find another relationship but, what i've found is that a lot of guys now think I'm pretty and want to be w/ me. Granted, this is how dating sites are but, I don't know how else to find people my age. I've had 3 good conversations w/ guys on the site and they were all around my age. 2 of the guys are now friends, 1 in particular. This 1 knows I'm not ready to date. But, what other avenues can I use to find people (guys) within my age range to be friends w/?

I know of meetup.com --- I'm not a huge fan of going somewhere by myself because I have a tough time integrating myself with people i don't know.
I go to a car show every thursday night but, all the people there are 50+ years old. I know and get along w/ most of them but that's thanks to my dog. She really helps me to talk to people.
 

TamLynn

A heart at rest
Nov 27, 2014
985
1,016
93
#2
I've been using online dating sites to make friends w/ people. I'm not yet ready to go on a date and try to find another relationship but, what i've found is that a lot of guys now think I'm pretty and want to be w/ me. Granted, this is how dating sites are but, I don't know how else to find people my age. I've had 3 good conversations w/ guys on the site and they were all around my age. 2 of the guys are now friends, 1 in particular. This 1 knows I'm not ready to date. But, what other avenues can I use to find people (guys) within my age range to be friends w/?

I know of meetup.com --- I'm not a huge fan of going somewhere by myself because I have a tough time integrating myself with people i don't know.
I go to a car show every thursday night but, all the people there are 50+ years old. I know and get along w/ most of them but that's thanks to my dog. She really helps me to talk to people.
I've seen people post 'ads' on my local FB chatter box. They state that they are new to town or shy (what have you) and are looking to meet some people for friendship. (keyword: friendship) They are always clear in their ad that's all they are looking for.
Quite often several people comment with other ideas/ places they could meet people. Worth a try maybe?!

Oh... And if you have a dog, perhaps a dog park?!
 

Tommy379

Notorious Member
Jan 12, 2016
7,589
1,151
113
#3
Hang out at Golden Corral or Old Country Buffet.
Or try sitting in one of those rocking chairs at the Cracker Barrel.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,907
8,162
113
#4
Hang out at Golden Corral or Old Country Buffet.
Or try sitting in one of those rocking chairs at the Cracker Barrel.
This is more true than most people know...

Or take a seat on a bench at a mall. You don't have to try to start conversations there. They just start.
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
6,877
1,949
113
Germany
#5
Go to cafés, churches, fairs... i don't make friends my age but that works. I even made a friend at the airport lol
 

Faith-n-Christ

Senior Member
May 12, 2016
443
365
63
#6
When I'm new to an area I go to meetup.com and see if there are any Christian hiking groups ECT... However that does depend on your location. Not much going on in this area on there. I can understand the reservation. I have a harder time with idle chit chat. My dog also is an auto people grabber. Because of her size they either give us a wide birth or come up and start asking all kinds of questions about her.

I have not invested much time into the online dating sites. I have met some great friends on the FB groups. Type in your location on FB then search the local groups. You can also search pacific topic groups like hiking in the area or Christian groups. If I plan a trip I also do that. Talking to locals gives you a better idea of the place outside of tourist brochures. I meet one of my dearest friends that way.

Hope that helps.
 

FVH

Member
Jul 28, 2018
28
31
13
#7
Perhaps you can "get" a new hobby and get another friend to start it with you so you don't have to go alone? Anything you always wanted to try but haven't? Start tango lessons? Join a new sports club? Start a hiking group? Anything that you can do with your dog if that makes you more comfortable, a training for example where other people come as well?
Are there any groups from church or Bible study groups from other churches nearby?

If you're looking for friends I don't think online dating sites are the way to go so I say this with a caveat but there's this app called Bumble that apparently allows you to find people in the area - but it's also used for dating so not ideal if looking for friendship.
 

FVH

Member
Jul 28, 2018
28
31
13
#8
If you're looking for friends I don't think online dating sites are the way to go so I say this with a caveat but there's this app called Bumble that apparently allows you to find people in the area - but it's also used for dating so not ideal if looking for friendship.
OK I just followed my own advice and installed the app. I came across my close colleague's profile, this will make for an awkward meeting tomorrow. Use with caution :ROFL:
 

Tommy379

Notorious Member
Jan 12, 2016
7,589
1,151
113
#9
OK I just followed my own advice and installed the app. I came across my close colleague's profile, this will make for an awkward meeting tomorrow. Use with caution :ROFL:
Bumble is a dating app. It's like tender, but only women can initiate the chatting. I had it once. A woman started talking to me, but when I told her I was a Christian, she disappeared.
 

Faith-n-Christ

Senior Member
May 12, 2016
443
365
63
#10
Hang out at Golden Corral or Old Country Buffet.
Or try sitting in one of those rocking chairs at the Cracker Barrel.
You live were there is an Old Country Buffet? I am so jealous right now. I've only been to one, many many times in San Antonio. My go to place when pregnant with my eldest son. Last I heard they closed down. And its been 25+ years since eating there. Not a big fan of the Golden Corral, Ryan's steak house used to me good and my Grandma loves the Cracker Barrel and Cheddars. Only been a couple of times. She always has a conversation going with somebody. Usually folks her age :sneaky:. I am not a huge fan of eating out. Guess that kinda puts a damper on that idea. 😋 oh well life goes on. Cheers🍵
 

FVH

Member
Jul 28, 2018
28
31
13
#11
Bumble is a dating app. It's like tender, but only women can initiate the chatting. I had it once. A woman started talking to me, but when I told her I was a Christian, she disappeared.
It is but it also has a friends feature! Maybe they evolved over the years? I don't know. Just installed it for the first time.

On a different note, Maniastar I did find the perfect app for you!
http://meetmydogapp.com/ A locationbased app that helps you find other friends with dogs!
 

Faith-n-Christ

Senior Member
May 12, 2016
443
365
63
#12
Bumble is a dating app. It's like tender, but only women can initiate the chatting. I had it once. A woman started talking to me, but when I told her I was a Christian, she disappeared.
That seems to be a common trend. I was/ am on an international penpal site. I enjoy learning about new cultures. My profile clearly states just friendship, it is not a dating site. I start chatting with folks and I let em I'm a Christian and poof their gone. It makes me wonder is it the fact I'm a Practicing Godly woman or the ideology of Christianity and the bad rap the name has gotten?
 

Tommy379

Notorious Member
Jan 12, 2016
7,589
1,151
113
#14
You live were there is an Old Country Buffet? I am so jealous right now. I've only been to one, many many times in San Antonio. My go to place when pregnant with my eldest son. Last I heard they closed down. And its been 25+ years since eating there. Not a big fan of the Golden Corral, Ryan's steak house used to me good and my Grandma loves the Cracker Barrel and Cheddars. Only been a couple of times. She always has a conversation going with somebody. Usually folks her age :sneaky:. I am not a huge fan of eating out. Guess that kinda puts a damper on that idea. 😋 oh well life goes on. Cheers🍵
I have nothing close to me that resembles OCB or the Corral. I live about an hour and a half from the nearest city.
I haven't eaten in OCBuffet in over 20 years.
 

zeroturbulence

Senior Member
Aug 2, 2009
24,580
4,268
113
#15
You live were there is an Old Country Buffet? I am so jealous right now. I've only been to one, many many times in San Antonio. My go to place when pregnant with my eldest son. Last I heard they closed down. And its been 25+ years since eating there. Not a big fan of the Golden Corral, Ryan's steak house used to me good and my Grandma loves the Cracker Barrel and Cheddars. Only been a couple of times. She always has a conversation going with somebody. Usually folks her age :sneaky:. I am not a huge fan of eating out. Guess that kinda puts a damper on that idea. 😋 oh well life goes on. Cheers🍵
The parent company of Old Country Buffet and Hometown Buffet went bankrupt in 2008 and closed a bunch of locations. Then in 2016 the company was sold and the new owners closed even more locations.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,043
13,049
113
58
#16
The parent company of Old Country Buffet and Hometown Buffet went bankrupt in 2008 and closed a bunch of locations. Then in 2016 the company was sold and the new owners closed even more locations.
There used to be an Old Country Buffet where I live, but it eventually closed down. I ate there quite a bit back in the 90's. I even took my wife there and got her hooked on it. :sneaky:
 

zeroturbulence

Senior Member
Aug 2, 2009
24,580
4,268
113
#17
There used to be an Old Country Buffet where I live, but it eventually closed down. I ate there quite a bit back in the 90's. I even took my wife there and got her hooked on it. :sneaky:
Oh yea, I used to go there with my family in the 90's. It was great back then. :D I heard they really started to go downhill after they got real successful. People were saying the carpets were never clean and the food would get cold and stuff like that.
 

Jewel5712

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2018
4,091
2,271
113
#19
I've been using online dating sites to make friends w/ people. I'm not yet ready to go on a date and try to find another relationship but, what i've found is that a lot of guys now think I'm pretty and want to be w/ me. Granted, this is how dating sites are but, I don't know how else to find people my age. I've had 3 good conversations w/ guys on the site and they were all around my age. 2 of the guys are now friends, 1 in particular. This 1 knows I'm not ready to date. But, what other avenues can I use to find people (guys) within my age range to be friends w/?

I know of meetup.com --- I'm not a huge fan of going somewhere by myself because I have a tough time integrating myself with people i don't know.
I go to a car show every thursday night but, all the people there are 50+ years old. I know and get along w/ most of them but that's thanks to my dog. She really helps me to talk to people.
Im like you..been off n on dating sites..thought bout meet up etc..tend o have more male friends than female but most are married or out of the area..im not a big joiner or have a lot of money to do a wine n dine group etc...so..ive prayed through the years that God would bring people in my life for friendships etc.. I started a new church 3 weeks ago..thier fall small groups start on the 22nd so im hopeful to get to know people that way.

Btw..goung on dating sites to e friends never works..lol
 

ManiaStar

Senior Member
Nov 14, 2015
381
29
28
#20
I've seen people post 'ads' on my local FB chatter box. They state that they are new to town or shy (what have you) and are looking to meet some people for friendship. (keyword: friendship) They are always clear in their ad that's all they are looking for.
Quite often several people comment with other ideas/ places they could meet people. Worth a try maybe?!

Oh... And if you have a dog, perhaps a dog park?!
FB chatter box? Where can I find that? I've never seen that on my account I don't think.

I do have a dog but I cannot take her to a dog park as she's afraid of other dogs. I do bring her to parks though and car shows and have met a lot of nice people that way but most of the people I meet at the car shows/parks are people much older then me (i'm not discriminating), I love to talk to any and all people. Just am looking to make more friends around/closer to my age and possibly single as it's hard to be friends w/ people who are dating and/or married.