Cheap/free ways to meet people and make friends!

Wellyboots6

I did take the plunge today and went off to a dog show on my own.

I was nervous but actually really enjoyed myself despite the weather!

I entered a few classes despite never having showed a dog before and not having a clue what to do!

Needless to say we didn't win a bean, although pooch was being totally charming and schmoozing burgers and hotdogs off everyone!

I got talking to a few people which was nice and ended up spending the afternoon hanging out with them. Maybe I will see them around at other dog events.

I also put my name down for a free trial class at a local kickboxing group, so will see how that goes next week. Just got to make sure I don't chicken out of going! I did ask the instructor if they could ring or text me the day before to remind me (I thought it might give me a kick to actually turn up)

So slowly getting there. Its mainly confidence to do things on my own that I lack. And the money to pay for things

Thank you so much for everyones suggestions, and if I haven't mentioned your suggestion personally then it doesn't mean I haven't taken it on board. I do really appreciate people taking the time to reply

Millie2008_2

Nothing to add to the fab suggestions already offered, but I can empathise, being in a similar position myself.

I lost my beloved GSD last month, so I feel a bit like I have lost a part of me. I keep looking at rescue websites though, so expect it will only be a matter of time

Frogletina

katy721 wrote: »

I looked in to the WI and there is one in the village. You have to pay to join though and money is really tight

You can try out the WI for three meetings to see if it is something you would enjoy before you join

After that it does cost to join, but works out at about 60p a week. I belong to quite a new group with several young members and for my membership each month I go to one daytime meeting, one evening meeting and a book group meeting. There are also craft and knitting evenings as well should I wish to attend them.

WelshWoofer

saverholic wrote: »

There's also sites like http://www.meetup.com/ which might have local groups. The site looks american but if you enter a UK town name it will pull out relevent groups. Some you have to pay to join, others are free. It might spark some more ideas if nothing more.

Good luck, I hope you find something that you really enjoy :A

I was in this situation too and joined a group on Meetup.com and its the best thing I've done in ages - its a ladies only group and they have all sorts going on from free dog walks to pub quizzes (that cost the price of a coke) to meals and trips to the cinema/theatre etc.

I also joined Spice (http://www.spiceuk.com/groups?handshaked=true) and have enjoyed some of their events but this does have a monthly subscription.
Good luck!

CupOfChai

daisiegg wrote: »

I don't have any friends that I haven't made through school, uni or work. I don't know how I'd go about making any really! So will also watch this thread with interest.

Me too! I moved to this area about a year ago now, and still haven't got any friends here. I just don't know how to meet people and I'm not good at striking up polite chitchat with some stranger, and then how do you turn that into meeting up and becoming friends?

How on earth do people do these things? I always feel like I'm trying far too hard and whoever I'm talking to thinks I'm weird and doesn't really like me!

On the bright side, someone said they went to a real life meetup of another forum they're on... I did the exact same thing, and met my OH!

saverholic

katy721 wrote: »

I did take the plunge today and went off to a dog show on my own.

......

Needless to say we didn't win a bean, although pooch was being totally charming and schmoozing burgers and hotdogs off everyone!

I got talking to a few people which was nice and ended up spending the afternoon hanging out with them. Maybe I will see them around at other dog events.

I also put my name down for a free trial class at a local kickboxing group, so will see how that goes next week. Just got to make sure I don't chicken out of going! I did ask the instructor if they could ring or text me the day before to remind me (I thought it might give me a kick to actually turn up)

So slowly getting there. Its mainly confidence to do things on my own that I lack. And the money to pay for things

Thank you so much for everyones suggestions, and if I haven't mentioned your suggestion personally then it doesn't mean I haven't taken it on board. I do really appreciate people taking the time to reply

:T:beer::T

Thats great. And (in my mother's words) 'its not about winning, its about taking part' LOL

Kickboxing sounds like great fun, let us know how you get on.

CupOfChai wrote: »

I'm not good at striking up polite chitchat with some stranger, and then how do you turn that into meeting up and becoming friends?

How on earth do people do these things? I always feel like I'm trying far too hard and whoever I'm talking to thinks I'm weird and doesn't really like me!

On the bright side, someone said they went to a real life meetup of another forum they're on... I did the exact same thing, and met my OH!

I'm exactly the same way, I have acquaintances but not many friends who I could ask for help with disposing a body (metaphorically!!). I don't quite know how to shift things beyond the polite chit chat.

It was me talking about the other forum. I certainly wouldn't object if I turned up and met my Prince Charming or hell even just Mr Normal!!

determined_new_ms

the only advice I can offer is 1. think about the things you are interested in and then see if there are any groups in your area around these interests and 2. "feel the fear and do it anyway"

I have recently starting attending a singing group - I can't sing but would love to be able to! Everyone there is very friendly, it only costs £2 a session and I bet if I continue with it I bet I will meet 1 or 2 people I could build a friendship with.

I have just discovered an interest in sewing so have made a group via facebook where 4 or 5 of us will meet up fortnightly to do some sewing, have drinks and nibbles and just develop friendship. So far there are 3 of us so we will all invite someone unti we get to the magic number

I have also just joined the committee of a charity that I am interested in. Already there is one person there who I realy like and hope over time we may build a friendship.

With regard to od friends oh and I were just discussing the other day how when you are teenagers you don't have those insecurities and just turn up at people's doors and say "do you want to hang out" but as adults often we do! I think if an old friend messaged me and said "hey haven't seen you for ages wanna grab a cup of coffee/go to an exhibition/something else" I would definitely go even if it turned out to be a one time thing!

Once you start putting yourself out there it gets easier x

krlyr

Millie2008 wrote: »

Nothing to add to the fab suggestions already offered, but I can empathise, being in a similar position myself.

I lost my beloved GSD last month, so I feel a bit like I have lost a part of me. I keep looking at rescue websites though, so expect it will only be a matter of time

Try the BIGGSD forum - don't know if you're in the South East but there are often group walks arranged where a spare pair of hands is needed to walk one of the rescue dogs looking for a new home. That way you'll feel involved, you'll have to mingle with at least a few people (the rescue dogs/walkers tend to hang back in a group) and you never know, you may meet your new best friend.

Wellyboots6

WelshWoofer wrote: »

I was in this situation too and joined a group on Meetup.com and its the best thing I've done in ages - its a ladies only group and they have all sorts going on from free dog walks to pub quizzes (that cost the price of a coke) to meals and trips to the cinema/theatre etc.

I also joined Spice (http://www.spiceuk.com/groups?handshaked=true) and have enjoyed some of their events but this does have a monthly subscription.
Good luck!

I need to have a good look through meetup.com but it does look like there are a few interesting groups on there.

I joined Spice a few months ago but have never been able to afford to do any of the activities so cancelled my membership. I kept meaning to go on the free nights out but chickened out. I think something like a night out would be pushing it a bit too much at the moment for my confidence. An organised activity though is something I think I might handle if I really pushed myself!

Wellyboots6

determined_new_ms wrote: »

the only advice I can offer is 1. think about the things you are interested in and then see if there are any groups in your area around these interests and 2. "feel the fear and do it anyway"

With regard to od friends oh and I were just discussing the other day how when you are teenagers you don't have those insecurities and just turn up at people's doors and say "do you want to hang out" but as adults often we do! I think if an old friend messaged me and said "hey haven't seen you for ages wanna grab a cup of coffee/go to an exhibition/something else" I would definitely go even if it turned out to be a one time thing!

Once you start putting yourself out there it gets easier x

I like the feel the fear idea! I almost didn't get out of the car when I got to the dog show yesterday, but then decided that I may as well at least walk in and have a look. Then when I got in there I was stood around like a pillock on my own for a while and felt very out of place. I decided to enter my dog in some classes to give me something to do and look purposeful about. I then stood around a bit more. Eventually I decided that there wasn't much point trying to meet people without actually trying! I went over to a couple with a cute dog and asked a few questions about their dog and we got chatting and spent the day holding each others coats etc whilst we did our classes. It was lovely.


I have started chatting to a couple of old friends again, nothing too regular at the moment though.

I think I am not going to end up giving myself a huge push with this until OH is gone. I can get away with not doing it until then, which isn't really helping me to be fair. I should really be thinking about how to get rid of him too!