DXBtoDOH

The older you get the more of a pain it is to make new friends. That's the biggest headache of expat life.

scrubbedexpat141

Nope. It's my terrible personality.

mission

so very true

Bahtatboy

I long for a personality.

co durham boy

They don't make em like they used to mate !

NorthernLad

I don't think it gets harder to make new friends, I think you learn to be more selective and avoid some of the absolute twats that this place still attracts.

I still see people arriving here and taking out the loans for big houses, fast cars, endless brunches and after a year complain about the cost of living.

IKnowNothing

And piss off/do a runner when the bank won't give them any more debt.

DXBtoDOH

It's not a question of it being harder to make friends. I agree it isn't, if you mean meeting new people and doing stuff.

It's a pain to have to make friends. Especially as you know they'll just be temporary acquaintances to have a few drinks with every now and then and you'll forget each other as soon as you or they leave the country. That whole level of casual, thousand 'friends' on Facebook mindset when you're a twenty something doesn't carry over well when you hit your 30s and even older.

There's something to be said about the people who stay put and have solid circles of good friends. Real friendships. Not the sifting through 100 flakes to find a decent friend issue we have as expats. Then when you do find a good friend, what do they do? Up and leave the country

co durham boy

I know hundreds of people in this town but hold very few as close friends , it's just impossible as it's so transient .

As you get older you don't need many friends , i'm completely at ease with a handful plus sometimes a quiet pint in your own company can suffice .

UKCityGent

[QUOTE=co durham boy;12178379] I know hundreds of people in this town but hold very few as close friends QUOTE]


I find a difference between acquaintances and friends. I have really about 5 key friends in the region who I know I can rely 99% on.


I think its much easier to strike an acquaintanceship here - much easier than London or elsewhere.

scrubbedexpat141

Don't be too downbeat about it. People are such unpredictable creatrures, they come and go and we've had our best buds move home and another is ****ing off to Australia this summer. Makes it harder but frankly, better friendships come out of nowhere and here seem to be a product of mutual convenience.

mission

majority of people are complete tossers out here.....particularly Brits.....

scot47

Mistake to get too settled. The Middle East is just a waystation in life's journey ! You will all be leaving one day ! Your sojourn is temporary, even if you bought yourself a condominium in the UAE !

Kakawax

yup, its mostly good and relatively better than it was a few years ago... so can't complain, apart from Dubai being a tosser magnet.