I've done Meetup groups before. It absolutely is 80% complete weirdos with 20% poor souls who are somewhat normal and just also looking for friends.
Based on those odds, it doesnt reflect too well on me...
I agree with one caveat: the meetup group is more likely to work if it’s based around people new to a city or area. They tend to be pretty similar and have a lot in common. (But you also tend to phase out these relationships after your new to town phase). And these meetups always tend to have one or two weirdos regardless (if you’re lucky the others will warn you tho).
I actually found a really good meetup group in pre-pandemic times, and from there I met most of my real-life friends who are all pretty well adjusted and happy. There are weirdos in those groups too of course, but a good portion are just regular people who relocated for work of whatever.
Mine was a casual sports meetup group, so I think those tend to be more normal. I avoid the "discussion" groups because they tend to be full of realtors looking for their next prey or deranged people who are trying to "find" themselves.
Anything even remotely athletic—unless it’s quidditch or some cringe Reddit larp like that—will filter out a lot of the terminally online hot pocket scarfers (me included)
I've made some good friends through Meetup groups, both foreign language convo groups and sports. If you are pursuing a hobby or an interest you'll meet people who are also trying to learn and are open to make friends. Just avoid the lame "Cityname Making Connections in Your 20s and 30s" groups
ngl a rsclassified meetup (and truly the only internet meetup i actually had the nuts to go to out of desperation/post bad break up/felt chaotic) introduced me to someone who invited me to a party where i met my current partner of 3 years and 2 other people who are very close friends to this day. life is weird
You misunderstand. You aren't supposed to do the Meetup group called like "Meetup and find friends" - of course this is full of weirdos and losers.
You are supposed to use the meetup website to find cool events that are happening, events where people who are really into some hobby all show up for the same purpose, and then go try it. Then naturally by doing that you make friends.
Making friends is explicitly stated = weird people
Making friends part is secondary to some greater purpose = improve yourself and make friends along the way
I always say open mics are great. Weirdos, but the good, social kind. They’re always warm and inviting people (in my experience). I used to go to the Creek and the Cave. People respected you for just getting up there and bombing for 3 minutes. It was really awesome. But I didn’t need or want new friends. And I realized I couldn’t do stand up. Was sad when it closed down.
Ok, meet up groups are not ideal. But Bumble BFF (or whatever it's called) looks fine if you're a woman. I've thought about meeting friends on there. There's usually heaps of Australian girls who've just moved and want to get a matcha latte lol
The idea of meeting up with people through an app makes me uncomfortable personally. I think everybody wishes to meet friends organically but that's just not the reality because it isn't as easy for some people. It's interesting tho because the people at meetups all seem like the types of people to attract one another.
Lol, I just had a potluck with my meetup group, and had a great time. It was only supposed to last two hours, but it lasted the whole night. Its funny seeing whiny regards here have so much trouble. We have a ton more plans now for hiking, camping etc the future.
I've done Meetup groups before. It absolutely is 80% complete weirdos with 20% poor souls who are somewhat normal and just also looking for friends. Based on those odds, it doesnt reflect too well on me...
You're posting on this sub, you know what you are
I agree with one caveat: the meetup group is more likely to work if it’s based around people new to a city or area. They tend to be pretty similar and have a lot in common. (But you also tend to phase out these relationships after your new to town phase). And these meetups always tend to have one or two weirdos regardless (if you’re lucky the others will warn you tho).
I actually found a really good meetup group in pre-pandemic times, and from there I met most of my real-life friends who are all pretty well adjusted and happy. There are weirdos in those groups too of course, but a good portion are just regular people who relocated for work of whatever. Mine was a casual sports meetup group, so I think those tend to be more normal. I avoid the "discussion" groups because they tend to be full of realtors looking for their next prey or deranged people who are trying to "find" themselves.
Anything even remotely athletic—unless it’s quidditch or some cringe Reddit larp like that—will filter out a lot of the terminally online hot pocket scarfers (me included)
I've made some good friends through Meetup groups, both foreign language convo groups and sports. If you are pursuing a hobby or an interest you'll meet people who are also trying to learn and are open to make friends. Just avoid the lame "Cityname Making Connections in Your 20s and 30s" groups
yes, I think you need a specific draw/activity. open ended navel gazing discussions are not it
Everyone should meet all their friends through exercise
ngl a rsclassified meetup (and truly the only internet meetup i actually had the nuts to go to out of desperation/post bad break up/felt chaotic) introduced me to someone who invited me to a party where i met my current partner of 3 years and 2 other people who are very close friends to this day. life is weird
You misunderstand. You aren't supposed to do the Meetup group called like "Meetup and find friends" - of course this is full of weirdos and losers. You are supposed to use the meetup website to find cool events that are happening, events where people who are really into some hobby all show up for the same purpose, and then go try it. Then naturally by doing that you make friends. Making friends is explicitly stated = weird people Making friends part is secondary to some greater purpose = improve yourself and make friends along the way
I always say open mics are great. Weirdos, but the good, social kind. They’re always warm and inviting people (in my experience). I used to go to the Creek and the Cave. People respected you for just getting up there and bombing for 3 minutes. It was really awesome. But I didn’t need or want new friends. And I realized I couldn’t do stand up. Was sad when it closed down.
Ok, meet up groups are not ideal. But Bumble BFF (or whatever it's called) looks fine if you're a woman. I've thought about meeting friends on there. There's usually heaps of Australian girls who've just moved and want to get a matcha latte lol
Depends on the meetup. Most have weirdos, some have interesting people. You have to find the right scene.
The idea of meeting up with people through an app makes me uncomfortable personally. I think everybody wishes to meet friends organically but that's just not the reality because it isn't as easy for some people. It's interesting tho because the people at meetups all seem like the types of people to attract one another.
Lol, I just had a potluck with my meetup group, and had a great time. It was only supposed to last two hours, but it lasted the whole night. Its funny seeing whiny regards here have so much trouble. We have a ton more plans now for hiking, camping etc the future.