MadRad

This has been an interesting thread. I'm nearly three years in, I like living in the US, but the making friends thing has been a disaster. I have made some good friends, but they are all British. I'd love to make some American friends but it just hasn't happened. I go to the gym and the library, no one ever speaks to you there. I do chat to the folk at the animal shelter I volunteer at, but it's more a casual acquaintance thing (though on the up side, the cats don't give a stuff what nationality you are and a puppy kiss is the same in any language!). I don't have a job so no communication there. No kids either. I can easily go whole days without speaking to someone other than my OH. It's hard, and isolating, and there are days when I want to just give in and cry. Probably doesn't help that my friends back home are truly awful at keeping in touch. I'm naturally fairly reserved so find it really hard to just strike up a conversation, but if I find real friendship I do cherish it.

JRG67

Being ignored, not being accepted by the locals, expected to act in a certain way... She was studying Chinese and trying to interact with the people there.

JRG67

I wouldn't have thought of the library as an obvious place to make friends. How about doing more voluntary work, or getting involved in something more creative than a gym, where you do things with other people.
Bridge, mahjong, AMdram, rock-climbing?

JRG67

Cool pics again
I think I can see a new Twinkie factory in the Chinese photo

CAdreaming

So to get back on topic ive come to the conclusion that it is a location thing. I live in the PNW coast as already stated and it is very mellow and easy going and accepting and ive made friends and i mean REAL friends who care about me (as i do them) and who call me and arrange dates and turn up. It is truly unpretentious - people are more concerned with people rather than what one is wearing - in fact the latest fad/fashion would just somehow look a bit daft here

CAdreaming

I have broad shoulders

JRG67

Good for you

Ethelred_the_Unready

That pic of China looks like an aerial view of some council flats in Wolvo. Do they have scallies there too that nick stuff, bang on your door for toilet paper at 3am and get smashed on Carlsberg Special Brew?

Ethelred_the_Unready

There may be some truth to this.

****, 8 million pages later and still no definitive answer; just a bunch of discussions pertaining to Israel & Palestine, the Golders Green Massive, scenery and random trolling.

JRG67

did you think there would be a definitive answer?

fakey

Wheres the stuff about the Golders Green Massive ?!?!?!?

I know Golders Green really well [shy]

JRG67

Nah! group responsibility is ingrained from an early age. anyone who did that would soon get sorted out

Ethelred_the_Unready

Ok, I invented it.

fakey

What ?!?

OK now youre just f#cking w/ me & Im not ploughing thru 50 pgs of this thread looking for it

Bit of a shame though ( for me anyway) -

goldenstate31

lost count how many times ive heard that
Although i live in 'The OC' (probably worse or flakier than L.A maybe?? Im not sure)
but everybody says to me things like, Quote: 'oh yeah this is orange county people are flaky in orange county, you would be better off in LA

Anyway changing the subject here completely, BUT I love your Avatar!! (michone is fantastic! especially in this weeks episode!! I'm hoping Lori isnt dead though walking dead and Sons of Anarchy best shows on TV)