I don't have friends, unless you count.

[an anarchist]

I don't have friends, unless you count.

What about you?

I have a boyfriend, which is nice. And I got family. But I used to also have friends. I had lots of them. I was closer to my friends than my own family. It was my friends who I called "brothers". The immense experiences spent with my friends now fade away down the memory hole.

I got walls up now. All around my brain and all around my heart. Though I try to remove these walls, I've built them to strong. So now I do not have my old friends nor do I make new ones.

You guys are nice. Of course, you guys aren't past my walls. You guys know merely a slice of me, and I know merely a slice of you. But it is several people here who I find myself the most friendly with within my life. If I had friends, it'd be you guys. I don't know if that's good or bad.

So, what about you? Do you have friends? Do some of them reside here on RF?

 

[rocala]

What about you?

The short answer is no. From 18 - 30, I had an incredibly good social life. To a lesser extent this did continue until I was in my late forties. Over the years deaths, squabbles and a general exodus of people from London have reduced the figure to zero. There are still some people that I know and sometimes socialise with, but friends, people I could phone if I had a problem, no.

I have been very unlucky at times, by the time I was twenty one, four close friends had died. I am 68 now, it is a difficult age to find a social life, but I am always open to friendship and value social contacts.

 

[ChristineM]

Despite being a little strange (only a little, honestly) I've always had at least one friend since before school years, other school friends have come and gone. I've always had several friends and acquaintances through my adult life.

I consider my children and family to be my closest friends.

And there are some good people here on RF that I'd be only too happy to have a night out with.

 

[JustGeorge]

I don't have friends, unless you count.

What about you?

I have a boyfriend, which is nice. And I got family. But I used to also have friends. I had lots of them. I was closer to my friends than my own family. It was my friends who I called "brothers". The immense experiences spent with my friends now fade away down the memory hole.

I got walls up now. All around my brain and all around my heart. Though I try to remove these walls, I've built them to strong. So now I do not have my old friends nor do I make new ones.

You guys are nice. Of course, you guys aren't past my walls. You guys know merely a slice of me, and I know merely a slice of you. But it is several people here who I find myself the most friendly with within my life. If I had friends, it'd be you guys. I don't know if that's good or bad.

So, what about you? Do you have friends? Do some of them reside here on RF?

Counting real life people, I have one friend. She is a good one.

Counting online people, I have a fair number. My closest friend of all is a member of this site. I have a fair number of friends here(and just a few from other sites).

My social abilities are affected by my son's disabilities. It is near impossible to get a babysitter for him(I can't leave him with his own father for more than an hour or so, and that's not to say ill of him". If I take him with, keeping him in line takes most of my energy, so I can't socialize.

But, if I'm terribly honest, I'm not sure I'd find compatible friends easily anyways. I'm a nut.

 

[an anarchist]

But, if I'm terribly honest, I'm not sure I'd find compatible friends easily anyways. I'm a nut.

I've long given up on finding people who get me.

My boyfriend gets the geeky and pleasant side of me. He brings that side of me out, and we have similar interests and hobbies.

But people who can understand my existentialism are few and far between. I used to have friends I could confide in about existential issues, and these friends would understand what I was saying. But I have given up the idea of having such friends. It is in the past.

Better to focus on the positive side of life anyways.

 

[JustGeorge]

I've long given up on finding people who get me.

My boyfriend gets the geeky and pleasant side of me. He brings that side of me out, and we have similar interests and hobbies.

It's really great you have that relationship. My husband and I were best friends for a long time; some external circumstances threw a wrench in that. We're getting along better, but that close friendship is gone. It's a real blessing to have a significant other as a best friend, in my opinion.

But people who can understand my existentialism are few and far between. I used to have friends I could confide in about existential issues, and these friends would understand what I was saying. But I have given up the idea of having such friends. It is in the past.

Yeah, most people don't get me, either. Being online broadens my pool of people to talk to. I think its doubtful I'll find another in 'real life'. Occasionally, I find one online.

Better to focus on the positive side of life anyways.

Usually is.

 

[Debater Slayer]

So, what about you? Do you have friends?

Yes. I have several long-term, close friends and many friends if we include ones who are not close.

I only had one friend aside from online ones until I was about 20. RF has helped me through some of the toughest times in my life, and I'll always be grateful to RF friends for that.

Do some of them reside here on RF?

Yes. In fact, it was mainly befriending people here that ended up giving me enough confidence to approach people more often in person and make more friends.

 

[Hooded_Crow]

I have quite severe social anxiety and am not good in social situations, so I tend to avoid people. Not a problem though - I like being alone.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

So, what about you? Do you have friends? Do some of them reside here on RF?

My best friend is my wife. Beyond that, we have perhaps a dozen close friends, and a second layer of people from our synagogue with whom we are reasonably close.

 

[John53]

I have friends but rarely contact them these days as we're getting old and most of us have health problems. My wife is my best friend and I count some people on here as friends even though I've never met them.

 

[Secret Chief]

That's why we're all here. We're all nuts.

 

[ChristineM]

That's why we're all here. We're all nuts.

Speak for yourself, I'm just strange.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I don't have friends, unless you count.

I count as high as twenty. Beyond that, I'd need more fingers or toes.

What about you?

I have a few people in my life that would drop what they're doing if I needed help, but being an ascetic, I have no social life to speak of, and I keep to myself, so I really don't do what you might consider friend-type relationships. I really don't find placing people in a box and labeling them 'friends' 'acquaintances' or 'enemies' useful.

That said, I'm as conformable striking up a conversation with any random person I meet the same as I would with you guys here. No walls...no barriers (though a roof and a window would be nice to keep the rain off).

 

[Secret Chief]

Speak for yourself, I'm just strange.

Of course you are. Me too.

 

[Secret Chief]

I count some people on here as friends even though I've never met them.

Even the farty one?

 

[Secret Chief]

I have a grand total of six people that I meet up with about four times a year. Are they friends? (I do the initiating of the meetups.... otherwise...)

 

[Secret Chief]

I have quite severe social anxiety and am not good in social situations, so I tend to avoid people. Not a problem though - I like being alone.

Anything more than a small group and I shut down and look forward to it ending. Understandably, people have said to my wife "What's the matter with him?"
She'll reply "That's just how he is."
What did she do to deserve me?

This is what makes online so suitable for me. I get to choose when to respond, if to respond, how much to respond. And I don't have to do all that eye contact rules 'n' ****.

 

[Augustus]

Have quite a lot of friends in various countries I’ve lived in, including 10 or so close friends I’ve known since primary school.

Don’t see them very often though as they live half a world away.

Having just moved to a new country (again) I now have my wife and about 2 friends I knew before I moved here.

The worst thing about being a bit of a nomad is that I do miss my good friends.

 

[an anarchist]

Have quite a lot of friends in various countries I’ve lived in, including 10 or so close friends I’ve known since primary school.

Don’t see them very often though as they live half a world away.

Having just moved to a new country (again) I now have my wife and about 2 friends I knew before I moved here.

The worst thing about being a bit of a nomad is that I do miss my good friends.

I’ve learned that life is a revolving door of people. In and out they go.

 

[JustGeorge]

That's why we're all here. We're all nuts.

You got that right.

This is what makes online so suitable for me. I get to choose when to respond, if to respond, how much to respond. And I don't have to do all that eye contact rules 'n' ****.

I don't do those rules, anyways. Take me or leave me. (Or back off uncomfortably.)

I’ve learned that life is a revolving door of people. In and out they go.

Yes, those are my feelings, too.

I generally accept most people are temporary, and accept when they inevitably wander off.

Most of the time, I'm okay, if disappointed. There are a few people it would break my heart to lose, though.