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Hey, 50+/- year olds! Where do you meet people?

by sylviad
20 replies
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Just doing a bit of research...

Where do you go to meet people?

All my life, I've wondered where other people spend their time that does not involve bar hopping or singles clubs.

I used to meet people in a few places: at work, at the local restaurant (hangout), at the bar or private parties. I've also met people in places where I've volunteered and through clubs that I've belonged to (naturalists, historical society, camera club).

So if you wanted to make new friends, where would you go?

Which ones have been most effective in the past?

Looking forward to your ideas.

Sylvia
  • Profile picture of the author sylviad
    Can no one help me with my research? No ideas?

    Sylvia
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    • Profile picture of the author MerlynSanchez
      I'm not 50+ yet but I seriously need to get out and meet people!

      Working from home shrinks your social circle so I'm thinking of taking some classes at the community college.

      I've met a few nice people at networking events although after a six months or so, it seems like it's the same group of people.

      Good luck Sylvia! I'm looking forward to hearing other people's ideas.
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    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by sylviad View Post

      Can no one help me with my research? No ideas?

      Sylvia
      I actually meet a lot of people from my gem hunting forum. They join, we all yack, then we get together and go hunt for stuff. I meet people sometimes out at lakes or in towns that I go through while traveling. Sometimes long term friendships come out of it. I used to meet them at work...but...lol.

      If you are having trouble meeting people it might be because people are mostly habitual, whether they think so or not. They do the same things and go to the same areas and places to do them. If you aren't meeting new people it's because you have saturated your area -- try doing the same things you always do -- just go further away to do them - coffee, grocery shopping, whatever - there will be new people to meet once you get out of your own territory.
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      • Profile picture of the author sylviad
        Merlyn...

        Oh, I forgot about that one - taking courses at the local school. I'd love to do some on jewelry making or woodworking. I've done lots of local courses over the years but they never led to any 'relationships'. However, I did have a lot of fun with our local writer's group, but the group is no longer in existence.

        The camera club doesn't do anything until Fall, so not much to do there at the moment. Same goes for the naturalist club. They only meet in winter and organize outings in early spring/fall, which always seems strange to me. You see more nature in summer than in winter after the birds have done migrating and the spring flowers are over.

        HeySal...

        That's right, I forgot. You mentioned gem hunting in our previous conversations. I meant to follow up on that. Now that I have a brand new car I don't have to worry so much about driving far afield.

        Oh, that's funny... [sorry] My saturated area consists of my house and garden, a neighborhood walk with the dog every day, plus a trip to the library every 3 weeks. So yeah, I suppose you could say my area is saturated... by me.

        I met more people when I was a reporter covering community events east of here in farming/tourist country. I've been looking for such events locally and will be doing that. It was easier then because I was recognized and frequently approached by people. Hanging around events with a camera always brought curiosity and conversation. That was a lot of fun!

        One thing I do know for sure... the senior's center is not for me. Although, they do have some things I enjoy, like darts, pool tables and a woodworking room. The downside? I'd rather hang out with people closer to the age I feel, rather than my actual age.

        Why don't communities have 'community centers' that offer a ton of activities above and beyond swimming and fitness?

        I wonder if there's a walking club around somewhere? Where do you look for clubs, anyway? I tried our local yellow pages but they're all Associations, like Girl Guides, Mental Health, etc. I had a heck of a time finding the camera club.

        I wish classes hadn't gotten so expensive. A 6 week course costs close to $200 now, whereas back when I took them, they were no more than $40 and usually about half that.

        Sylvia
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        • Profile picture of the author MerlynSanchez
          Originally Posted by sylviad View Post

          I wonder if there's a walking club around somewhere? Where do you look for clubs, anyway? I tried our local yellow pages but they're all Associations, like Girl Guides, Mental Health, etc. I had a heck of a time finding the camera club.
          Our newspaper has an insert called "Neighbors" which appears twice a week and lists all sorts of clubs, organizations, volunteer groups, and events. Does your newspaper have something like that?

          I've also found some groups online through Meetup.com. There may be groups listed there for your area.

          Sometimes hospitals have events and local programs which meet weekly.
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          • Profile picture of the author sylviad
            Originally Posted by Roaddog View Post

            Sylviad,

            I don't know how rural you are, but what about volunteering for community based kind of things?
            Not very rural at all, but I have done a lot of volunteering in the past - Girl Guides, Fitness for people with challenges, mental health, St. John's First Aid, and seniors. Volunteering is on my list, which will be easy because we have a Volunteer Bureau here where non-profits register their needs for helpers. They'll have something that interests me. The only problem, though, is that I don't really want something that requires my constant presence on a schedule. That's the reason I went into Journalism - so that my schedule was very flexible and the boss couldn't track my whereabouts every minute.

            I do love teaching and would like to find an opportunity to do that. I've helped several of my tenants to set up web sites and learn about internet marketing and that, too, is a lot of fun and rewarding. I'm thinking maybe some locals might want my help.

            I just turned over fifty today and if I never meet anyone again, it'll be to soon.
            That's exactly how I've felt for the past dozen years or so. After a lot of turmoil involving workplace conflicts, people spreading rumors, personal stuff to deal with, and a lot of stupidness, I shut myself away. Being able to work online made it easy, but it's time to get back out into the real world and see what's hap'nin'. It's not good when you start getting rude to everyone just to get rid of them as quickly as possible so you don't have to deal with them.

            Originally Posted by MerlynSanchez View Post

            Our newspaper has an insert called "Neighbors" which appears twice a week and lists all sorts of clubs, organizations, volunteer groups, and events. Does your newspaper have something like that?

            I've also found some groups online through Meetup.com. There may be groups listed there for your area.

            Sometimes hospitals have events and local programs which meet weekly.
            I'm not familiar with meetup.com or if they cover Canada, but I'll check it out.

            I discovered a 50+ singles club here about 8 years ago, but didn't feel comfortable. You know how it is when you enter a group that has already established its friendships. You feel like an outsider, and I don't mingle well anyway.

            Our local papers do have a lengthy Events section that lists a variety of activities including volunteer needs and such. A lot is group meetings, fundraisers, a few courses, health-related and kid-related stuff. Overall, not a lot that interests me.

            Other places to look are the local town hall, the tourism office (although we're not a tourist region so they don't have much locally), and the library which I already checked but they don't have much either.

            Sylvia
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      • Profile picture of the author Laurie Rogers
        I would really like to hear more about your gem hunting forum, do you have any people from Canada on there? Aside from my cultural teachings (which you know about lol) I also practice reiki and am taking a few new alternative healing methods (well not new, but new to me) and would love very much to learn more about gems Do you also discuss crystals too?


        Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

        I actually meet a lot of people from my gem hunting forum. They join, we all yack, then we get together and go hunt for stuff. I meet people sometimes out at lakes or in towns that I go through while traveling. Sometimes long term friendships come out of it. I used to meet them at work...but...lol.

        If you are having trouble meeting people it might be because people are mostly habitual, whether they think so or not. They do the same things and go to the same areas and places to do them. If you aren't meeting new people it's because you have saturated your area -- try doing the same things you always do -- just go further away to do them - coffee, grocery shopping, whatever - there will be new people to meet once you get out of your own territory.
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        • Profile picture of the author Laurie Rogers
          I own a dating "community", so to speak, that I will be launching for people in the 40 plus age range very soon and we will be hosting our first annual singles cruise this October (Halloween) .. we have coined a few names around cougars ie: Vancouver is called VanCougars and well, we don't call older single men "dirty old men" we call them, ManCougars, it's not necessarily people that date younger people as some would think, given the names, just a fun thing to use as a gimmick to sell merchandise.
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  • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
    Sylviad,

    I don't know how rural you are, but what about volunteering for community based kind of things?

    Your bound to run into a good people as most wouldn't volunteer unless they cared about something.

    Also you would run into people of all ages, (as far as I have seen anyway).

    and really get to know what's up in the community...feeding seniors, helping with kids rec. centers, whatever...you'll still meet people.





    I just turned over fifty today and if I never meet anyone again, it'll be to soon.

    ..Hey... you stupid kids, get off my lawn!...

    ..gotta go...


    lol
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    People usually list local events and clubs in craigslist.

    I take my dog for walks in different places. Dogs always attract people - Munchie was a guy magnet. Ricky starts conversations, too, when I can get out places that aren't here. Here is a hell hole and I don't want to meet anyone here because I'm afraid I'd get stuck here if I did. Waiting out the storm to get back to normal society to start mingling heavily.
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    • Profile picture of the author MerlynSanchez
      Good point Sal. I forgot about Craig's list.

      Where are you looking to move when you get a chance?




      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      People usually list local events and clubs in craigslist.

      I take my dog for walks in different places. Dogs always attract people - Munchie was a guy magnet. Ricky starts conversations, too, when I can get out places that aren't here. Here is a hell hole and I don't want to meet anyone here because I'm afraid I'd get stuck here if I did. Waiting out the storm to get back to normal society to start mingling heavily.
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      • Profile picture of the author waterotter
        Originally Posted by MerlynSanchez View Post

        Good point Sal. I forgot about Craig's list.

        Where are you looking to move when you get a chance?
        Merlyn, please just don't advertise there!

        If ya do....just let us know your whereabouts please and thanks!
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        • Profile picture of the author MerlynSanchez
          LOL! No, I'm not planning on advertising there or answering any personal ads!

          Sal mentioned it as a source of finding local events.


          Originally Posted by waterotter View Post

          Merlyn, please just don't advertise there!

          If ya do....just let us know your whereabouts please and thanks!
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          • Profile picture of the author waterotter
            Originally Posted by MerlynSanchez View Post

            LOL! No, I'm not planning on advertising there or answering any personal ads!

            Sal mentioned it as a source of finding local events.
            LOL. Just wanted to clarify that!
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    • Profile picture of the author sylviad
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      People usually list local events and clubs in craigslist.

      I take my dog for walks in different places. Dogs always attract people - Munchie was a guy magnet. Ricky starts conversations, too, when I can get out places that aren't here. Here is a hell hole and I don't want to meet anyone here because I'm afraid I'd get stuck here if I did. Waiting out the storm to get back to normal society to start mingling heavily.
      To be honest, with all the 'disappearances' and killings resulting from Craigslist ads, I'm extremely reluctant to go that route.

      I understand about your 'hell hole'. In the historic town east of here that I loved so much, I met a guy at the harbor and we talked about dogs and other things. I told him I had just moved there and he couldn't believe anyone would want to live there, since he was trying his darndest to get out. I guess it's all in your perspective. I thought it was quite a nice town with lots of character. He probably wanted more 'action' which it did not have, which was fine with me. I was much happier sitting on the pier watching the freighters pass.

      Sylvia
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      • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
        Originally Posted by sylviad View Post

        To be honest, with all the 'disappearances' and killings resulting from Craigslist ads, I'm extremely reluctant to go that route.

        I understand about your 'hell hole'. In the historic town east of here that I loved so much, I met a guy at the harbor and we talked about dogs and other things. I told him I had just moved there and he couldn't believe anyone would want to live there, since he was trying his darndest to get out. I guess it's all in your perspective. I thought it was quite a nice town with lots of character. He probably wanted more 'action' which it did not have, which was fine with me. I was much happier sitting on the pier watching the freighters pass.

        Sylvia


        I was going to say...

        What's up Sal they don't have news, or bad made for TV movies up in rock country?

        I was much happier sitting on the pier watching the freighters pass.

        Me too, have since I was young...I honestly at this point could do that for long periods of time and be quite happy.

        Plus I think you just gave me a pretty good idea for a site.


        Wish you luck Sylviad...you sound like a nice person,
        just get out and about and before you know it...you'll meet all kinds.


        Jim
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        • Profile picture of the author sylviad
          Originally Posted by Roaddog View Post

          Me too, have since I was young...I honestly at this point could do that for long periods of time and be quite happy.

          Plus I think you just gave me a pretty good idea for a site.


          Wish you luck Sylviad...you sound like a nice person,
          just get out and about and before you know it...you'll meet all kinds.


          Jim
          Why, thank you, Jim. Oh my goodness. The guy who was trying to 'escape' that small town was named Jim.

          I'd love to see your site if and when you do it. You could use the theme song, "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" Only, in my case it was the St. Lawrence River which was much more fun to watch than the open water on Georgian Bay.

          Not sure I want to meet 'all kinds' though, just the right ones.

          Sylvia
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          • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
            Originally Posted by sylviad View Post

            Why, thank you, Jim. Oh my goodness. The guy who was trying to 'escape' that small town was named Jim.

            I'd love to see your site if and when you do it. You could use the theme song, "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" Only, in my case it was the St. Lawrence River which was much more fun to watch than the open water on Georgian Bay.

            Not sure I want to meet 'all kinds' though, just the right ones.

            Sylvia
            Touche'..lol



            Sittin on the Dock of The Bay was the very first song that came to mind.

            If I can get rid of a few other distractions at the moment, I would really like to give what I'm thinking a try. Damn the money (sometimes...lol).

            I've had a 'love' affair with boats/ships/ocean/water in general since I was very little.

            One of the reason's I ended up in the Navy..that and the fact they were the only one's that would take me at the time...lol.



            WHEN I do, I'll start one of those, check out my site threads....:p
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            • Profile picture of the author sylviad
              There's something about water that is very attracting. Been a water-rat since I was small, too, wading in the sea in Brighton, England. {sigh} Sailing across the sea in that huge ocean liner was quite a fun experience, while the other females in the family lay ailing in the cabin. I recall hanging over the rail to watch the waves roll past and my mother grabbing me, fearing for my life.

              The St. Lawrence is a real magnet because where I was, you can see up the river for miles until it turns the globe, with Canada on one side and the US on the other. The ideal environment for an explorer like me, especially with the local history, the fort, the reenactments... very exciting. Fog-covered river in winter. Frozen fog on lamp posts. Spectacular.

              Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Yeah = you do want to make sure that a group is meeting in a public place before you go. Groups are usually pretty on the level and so are events. As far as dating from craigslist? LMAO. I think you might want to consider other resources for that one.
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